The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches
Abstract Introduction One of the hardest challenges of the third century is to develop theories that could joint different results for a global explanation of human consciousness. Some important theories have been proposed, trying to explain the emergence of consciousness as the result of different...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Brain and Behavior |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1474 |
| _version_ | 1818854213274304512 |
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| author | Davide Sattin Matilde Leonardi Mario Picozzi |
| author_facet | Davide Sattin Matilde Leonardi Mario Picozzi |
| author_sort | Davide Sattin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction One of the hardest challenges of the third century is to develop theories that could joint different results for a global explanation of human consciousness. Some important theories have been proposed, trying to explain the emergence of consciousness as the result of different progressive changes in the elaboration of information during brain processing, giving particular attention to the thalamocortical system. Methods In this article, a summary review of results that highlighted as cerebral cortex could not be so fundamental for consciousness generation is proposed. In detail, three topics were analyzed: (a) studies using experimental approach (manipulating stimuli or brain areas), such as decorticated animals or subliminal presentation of stimuli; (b) studies using anatomo‐clinical method (conscious inferenced from observed behaviors); and (c) data from neurostimulation of subcortical areas or of the autonomic nervous system. Results We sketch two speculative hypothesis relative, firstly, to the possible independence from cortical areas of the on/off mechanism for consciousness generation and, secondly, to the possible role of information variability generated by the bottom‐up exchange of information among neural systems as a switch for consciousness. Conclusions A broad range of evidence regarding the functional role of the brainstem and autonomic nervous system is reviewed for its bearing on a future hypothesis regarding the generation of consciousness experience. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T07:49:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d08f0e618c08401f846ab441e7c88725 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2162-3279 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T07:49:08Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain and Behavior |
| spelling | doaj.art-d08f0e618c08401f846ab441e7c887252022-12-21T20:30:14ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792020-01-01101n/an/a10.1002/brb3.1474The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approachesDavide Sattin0Matilde Leonardi1Mario Picozzi2Neurology, Public Health, Disability Unit and Coma Research Centre Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C.Besta Milan ItalyNeurology, Public Health, Disability Unit and Coma Research Centre Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C.Besta Milan ItalyBiotechnology and Life Sciences Department and Center for Clinical Ethics Insubria University Varese ItalyAbstract Introduction One of the hardest challenges of the third century is to develop theories that could joint different results for a global explanation of human consciousness. Some important theories have been proposed, trying to explain the emergence of consciousness as the result of different progressive changes in the elaboration of information during brain processing, giving particular attention to the thalamocortical system. Methods In this article, a summary review of results that highlighted as cerebral cortex could not be so fundamental for consciousness generation is proposed. In detail, three topics were analyzed: (a) studies using experimental approach (manipulating stimuli or brain areas), such as decorticated animals or subliminal presentation of stimuli; (b) studies using anatomo‐clinical method (conscious inferenced from observed behaviors); and (c) data from neurostimulation of subcortical areas or of the autonomic nervous system. Results We sketch two speculative hypothesis relative, firstly, to the possible independence from cortical areas of the on/off mechanism for consciousness generation and, secondly, to the possible role of information variability generated by the bottom‐up exchange of information among neural systems as a switch for consciousness. Conclusions A broad range of evidence regarding the functional role of the brainstem and autonomic nervous system is reviewed for its bearing on a future hypothesis regarding the generation of consciousness experience.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1474autonomic nervous systembrainstemconsciousnessconsciousness disordersreview literature as topic |
| spellingShingle | Davide Sattin Matilde Leonardi Mario Picozzi The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches Brain and Behavior autonomic nervous system brainstem consciousness consciousness disorders review literature as topic |
| title | The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches |
| title_full | The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches |
| title_fullStr | The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches |
| title_short | The autonomic nervous system and the brainstem: A fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation? Hypothesis, evidence, and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches |
| title_sort | autonomic nervous system and the brainstem a fundamental role or the background actors for consciousness generation hypothesis evidence and future directions for rehabilitation and theoretical approaches |
| topic | autonomic nervous system brainstem consciousness consciousness disorders review literature as topic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1474 |
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