scholarly journals How Energy Supports Our Brain to Yield Consciousness: Insights From Neuroimaging Based on the Neuroenergetics Hypothesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Chen ◽  
Jun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Information Integration ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Vegetative State ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Information Integration Theory ◽  
Neuronal Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Processes ◽  
Metabolic Basis ◽  
The Brain

Consciousness is considered a result of specific neuronal processes and mechanisms in the brain. Various suggested neuronal mechanisms, including the information integration theory (IIT), global neuronal workspace theory (GNWS), and neuronal construction of time and space as in the context of the temporospatial theory of consciousness (TTC), have been laid forth. However, despite their focus on different neuronal mechanisms, these theories neglect the energetic-metabolic basis of the neuronal mechanisms that are supposed to yield consciousness. Based on the findings of physiology-induced (sleep), pharmacology-induced (general anesthesia), and pathology-induced [vegetative state/unresponsive wakeful syndrome (VS/UWS)] loss of consciousness in both human subjects and animals, we, in this study, suggest that the energetic-metabolic processes focusing on ATP, glucose, and γ-aminobutyrate/glutamate are indispensable for functional connectivity (FC) of normal brain networks that renders consciousness possible. Therefore, we describe the energetic-metabolic predispositions of consciousness (EPC) that complement the current theories focused on the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC).

Sizing up Consciousness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Massimini ◽  
Giulio Tononi
Keyword(s):  
Information Integration ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
General Rule ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Information Integration Theory ◽  
Brain Injured ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
The Brain

Sizing up Consciousness explores, at an introductory level, the potential practical, clinical, and ethical implications of a general principle about the nature of consciousness. Using information integration theory (IIT) as a guiding principle, the book takes the reader along a scientific trajectory to face fundamental questions about the relationships between matter and experience. What is so special about a piece of flesh that can host a subject who sees light or experiences darkness? Why is the brain associated with a capacity for consciousness, but not the liver or the heart, as previous cultures believed? Why the thalamocortical system, but not other complicated neural structures? Why does consciousness fade during deep sleep, while cortical neurons remain active? Why does it recover, vivid, and intense, when the brain is disconnected from the external world during a dream? Can unresponsive patients with a functional island of cortex surrounded by widespread damage be conscious? Is a parrot that talks, or an octopus that learns and plays conscious? Can computers be conscious? Could a system behave like us and yet be devoid of consciousness—a zombie? The authors take on these basic questions by translating theoretical principles into anatomical observations, novel empirical measurements—such as an index of brain complexity that can be applied at the bedside of brain-injured patients—and thought experiments. The aim of the book is to describe, in an accessible way, a preliminary attempt to identify a general rule to size up the capacity for consciousness within the human skull and beyond.

scholarly journals The Evolution of Neuroplasticity and the Effect on Integrated Information

Entropy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Sheneman ◽  
Jory Schossau ◽  
Arend Hintze
Keyword(s):  
Information Integration ◽  
Functional Change ◽  
Darwinian Evolution ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Virtual Agents ◽  
Information Integration Theory ◽  
Feedback Learning ◽  
Internal States ◽  
The Many ◽  
Better Than

Information integration theory has been developed to quantify consciousness. Since conscious thought requires the integration of information, the degree of this integration can be used as a neural correlate (Φ) with the intent to measure degree of consciousness. Previous research has shown that the ability to integrate information can be improved by Darwinian evolution. The value Φ can change over many generations, and complex tasks require systems with at least a minimum Φ . This work was done using simple animats that were able to remember previous sensory inputs, but were incapable of fundamental change during their lifetime: actions were predetermined or instinctual. Here, we are interested in changes to Φ due to lifetime learning (also known as neuroplasticity). During lifetime learning, the system adapts to perform a task and necessitates a functional change, which in turn could change Φ . One can find arguments to expect one of three possible outcomes: Φ might remain constant, increase, or decrease due to learning. To resolve this, we need to observe systems that learn, but also improve their ability to learn over the many generations that Darwinian evolution requires. Quantifying Φ over the course of evolution, and over the course of their lifetimes, allows us to investigate how the ability to integrate information changes. To measure Φ , the internal states of the system must be experimentally observable. However, these states are notoriously difficult to observe in a natural system. Therefore, we use a computational model that not only evolves virtual agents (animats), but evolves animats to learn during their lifetime. We use this approach to show that a system that improves its performance due to feedback learning increases its ability to integrate information. In addition, we show that a system’s ability to increase Φ correlates with its ability to increase in performance. This suggests that systems that are very plastic regarding Φ learn better than those that are not.

Foundations of Information Integration Theory

1982 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 708 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Carroll ◽  
Norman H. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Information Integration ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Information Integration Theory

scholarly journals Nuevas fronteras en la Teoría de la Integración Informativa

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne Mullet ◽  
Yuval Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Information Integration ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Cortical Activation ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Functional Measurement ◽  
Emotional Faces ◽  
Information Integration Theory ◽  
Selection Of

This special issue contains a selection of papers presented at the Fifth Biennial International Conference on Information Integration Theory and Functional Measurement held in Acre, Israel, on June 8-10, 2015. This conference gathered together more than twenty researchers from Israel and Western Europe. The studies reported in the papers they presented were applications of Information Integration Theory and Functional Measurement (IIT/FM, Anderson, 2008, 2012, 2013) to very diverse settings, ranging from neuropsychology (functional analysis of patterns of cortical activation in an integration task using pairs of emotional faces) to political science (functional analysis of emotional and behavioral responses to a terrorist plot against commercial flights).

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