Consciousness and Neuroscience

The Neural Correlates of Consciousness and Attention: Two Sister Processes of the Brain

“…The level of vigilance can be modulated by the dynamics of resting state and task-engaged networks. According to the ‘default mode’ paradigm of brain function, a system of extensively interconnected cortical regions located mainly on the medial portion of the hemispheres, which is more active during rest than during perceptual and attentional engagement with the environment, is supposed to be crucial to the maintenance of consciousness (Raichle et al, 2001; Nani et al, 2013). In turn, the posteromedial parietal areas (posterior cingulate, retrosplenial cortex and precuneus), together with the medial frontal, anterior cingulate and lateral parietal cortices are more active when the brain is engaged in internal monitoring and in processing information related to self (Cavanna and Trimble, 2006; Cavanna, 2007).…”

“…In theory, all mental activities might be mapped on the brain and associated with a specific neural correlate (Nani et al, 2013). This neural stance (Lamme, 2006) is supposed to be at the basis of neuroscientific research: a change in the mind (here broadly conceived as the collection of all the intellectual processes capable of producing behavioral manifestations, thoughts, and feelings) must be always accompanied by a change in the brain.…”

“…In contrast, consciousness itself seems to be a precondition to exert voluntary control of behavior. Second, consciousness appears to be a self-sustaining process (a stream or a flow) that extends through two dimensions, the dimension of the level of vigilance or arousal, and the dimension of contents (Nani et al, 2013; Cavanna and Nani, 2014). Within these two dimensions it is possible to have different degree of consciousness, depending on how much a waking person is vigilant, alert or aroused, and on how vivid and intense the contents of the experience are.…”

Mindfulness meditation and consciousness: An integrative neuroscientific perspective

“…Both neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies have provided evidence that the neural correlates of consciousness can be described in virtue of a bidimensional model, based on the parameter of the level of arousal on the one hand, and on the parameter of the intensity of the different contents of experience on the other (Cavanna et al, 2011;Laureys, 2005;Laureys, Owen, & Schiff, 2004;Nani, Seri, & Cavanna, 2013).Within this framework, the arousal dimension evaluates the quantitative features of consciousness, whereas the content dimension addresses the qualitative features of subjective awareness (Blumenfeld, 2009;Plum & Posner, 1980;Zeman, 2001). In other words, the level of arousal specifies the degree of wakefulness, which can range from full alertness through drowsiness and sleep to coma (Baars, Ramsoy, & Laureys, 2003;Laureys & Boly, 2008).…”

Can mindfulness meditation alter consciousness? An integrative interpretation

“…Both neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies have provided evidence that the neural correlates of consciousness can be described in virtue of a bidimensional model, based on the parameter of the level of arousal on the one hand, and on the parameter of the intensity of the different contents of experience on the other (Cavanna et al, 2011;Laureys, 2005;Laureys et al, 2004;Nani et al, 2013).Within this framework, the arousal dimension evaluates the quantitative features of consciousness, whereas the content dimension addresses the qualitative features of subjective awareness (Blumenfeld, 2009;Plum and Posner, 1980;Zeman, 2001). In other words, the level of arousal specifies the degree of wakefulness, which can range from full alertness through drowsiness and sleep to coma (Baars et al, 2003;Laureys and Boly, 2008).…”