An integrative, multiscale view on neural theories of consciousness

TY - JOUR

T1 - An integrative, multiscale view on neural theories of consciousness

AU - Storm, Johan F

AU - Klink, P Christiaan

AU - Aru, Jaan

AU - Senn, Walter

AU - Goebel, Rainer

AU - Pigorini, Andrea

AU - Avanzini, Pietro

AU - Vanduffel, Wim

AU - Roelfsema, Pieter R

AU - Massimini, Marcello

AU - Larkum, Matthew E

AU - Pennartz, Cyriel M A

N1 - Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PY - 2024/2/29

Y1 - 2024/2/29

N2 - How is conscious experience related to material brain processes? A variety of theories aiming to answer this age-old question have emerged from the recent surge in consciousness research, and some are now hotly debated. Although most researchers have so far focused on the development and validation of their preferred theory in relative isolation, this article, written by a group of scientists representing different theories, takes an alternative approach. Noting that various theories often try to explain different aspects or mechanistic levels of consciousness, we argue that the theories do not necessarily contradict each other. Instead, several of them may converge on fundamental neuronal mechanisms and be partly compatible and complementary, so that multiple theories can simultaneously contribute to our understanding. Here, we consider unifying, integration-oriented approaches that have so far been largely neglected, seeking to combine valuable elements from various theories.

AB - How is conscious experience related to material brain processes? A variety of theories aiming to answer this age-old question have emerged from the recent surge in consciousness research, and some are now hotly debated. Although most researchers have so far focused on the development and validation of their preferred theory in relative isolation, this article, written by a group of scientists representing different theories, takes an alternative approach. Noting that various theories often try to explain different aspects or mechanistic levels of consciousness, we argue that the theories do not necessarily contradict each other. Instead, several of them may converge on fundamental neuronal mechanisms and be partly compatible and complementary, so that multiple theories can simultaneously contribute to our understanding. Here, we consider unifying, integration-oriented approaches that have so far been largely neglected, seeking to combine valuable elements from various theories.

U2 - 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.004

DO - 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.004

M3 - Article

C2 - 38447578

SN - 0896-6273

VL - 112

SP - 1531

EP - 1552

JO - Neuron

JF - Neuron

ER -