Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
New Clues to Consciousness: Scientists Discover the Brain's Hidden Gatekeeper
https://scitechdaily.com/new-clues-to-consciousness-scientists-discover-the-brains-hidden-gatekeeper/Thalamic regions drive conscious perception by syncing with the prefrontal cortex, acting as a gateway to awareness.
Using direct intracranial brain recordings in humans, a new study has identified the thalamus, a small, deeply situated brain structure, as a key player in conscious perception. The researchers found that specific higher-order regions of the thalamus function as a gateway to awareness by transmitting signals to the prefrontal cortex.
These findings offer important insights into the complex nature of human consciousness. Unraveling the neural basis of consciousness remains one of neuroscience’s greatest challenges. Prior research has proposed that consciousness consists of two main components: the conscious state (such as being awake or asleep) and conscious content (the specific experiences or perceptions one is aware of).
The Thalamus Beyond Sensory Relay
While subcortical structures are primarily involved in regulating conscious states, many theories emphasize the importance of subcortical-cortical loops in conscious perception. However, most studies on conscious perception have focused on the cerebral cortex, with relatively few studies examining the role of subcortical regions, particularly the thalamus. Its role in conscious perception has often been seen as merely facilitating sensory information.
. . .
Notably, the authors found that activity between the thalamus and PFC – especially the intraluminal thalamus – was synchronized during the onset of conscious perception, suggesting that this thalamic region plays a gating role in driving PFC activity during conscious perception.
. . .
Using direct intracranial brain recordings in humans, a new study has identified the thalamus, a small, deeply situated brain structure, as a key player in conscious perception. The researchers found that specific higher-order regions of the thalamus function as a gateway to awareness by transmitting signals to the prefrontal cortex.
These findings offer important insights into the complex nature of human consciousness. Unraveling the neural basis of consciousness remains one of neuroscience’s greatest challenges. Prior research has proposed that consciousness consists of two main components: the conscious state (such as being awake or asleep) and conscious content (the specific experiences or perceptions one is aware of).
The Thalamus Beyond Sensory Relay
While subcortical structures are primarily involved in regulating conscious states, many theories emphasize the importance of subcortical-cortical loops in conscious perception. However, most studies on conscious perception have focused on the cerebral cortex, with relatively few studies examining the role of subcortical regions, particularly the thalamus. Its role in conscious perception has often been seen as merely facilitating sensory information.
. . .
Notably, the authors found that activity between the thalamus and PFC – especially the intraluminal thalamus – was synchronized during the onset of conscious perception, suggesting that this thalamic region plays a gating role in driving PFC activity during conscious perception.
. . .
May be beyond my high-school science from more than half a century ago, but if they come up with a way to turn off my brain when it wants to worry about everything around 2:30AM, then I'm all for it!