Coupling the State and Contents of Consciousness

Aru, Jaan; Suzuki, Mototaka; Rutiku, Renate; Larkum, Matthew E.; Bachmann, Talis

doi:10.3389/fnsys.2019.00043

Cited by 116 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…This result strongly suggests that the sensitivity of MEG to the post-synaptic currents in large, asymmetric, and well co-oriented neurons, i.e. the pyramidal neurons in cortical layers 5 and 6 that are central in thalamo-cortical loops [79,92,93], biases the detection of CFC with MEG towards the post-synaptic currents in these neurons.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Cfc Network In Resting-state Human Brainmentioning

confidence: 94%

Genuine cross-frequency coupling networks in human resting-state electrophysiological recordings

Siebenhuehner

Wang

Arnulfo

et al. 2019

Preprint

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AbstractPhase synchronization of neuronal oscillations in specific frequency bands coordinates anatomically distributed neuronal processing and communication. Typically, oscillations and synchronization take place concurrently in many distinct frequencies, which serve separate computational roles in cognitive functions. While within-frequency phase synchronization has been studied extensively, less is known about the mechanisms that govern neuronal processing distributed across frequencies and brain regions. Such integration of processing between frequencies could be achieved via cross-frequency coupling (CFC), either by phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) or by n:m-cross-frequency phase synchrony (CFS). So far, studies have mostly focused on local CFC in individual brain regions, whereas the presence and functional organization of CFC between brain areas have remained largely unknown. We posit that inter-areal CFC may be essential for large-scale coordination of neuronal activity and investigate here whether genuine CFC networks are present in human resting-state brain activity.To assess the functional organization of CFC networks, we identified brain-wide CFC networks at meso-scale resolution from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) and at macro-scale resolution from source-reconstructed magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. We developed a novel graph-theoretical method to distinguish genuine CFC from spurious CFC that may arise from non-sinusoidal signals ubiquitous in neuronal activity. We show that genuine inter-areal CFC is present in human resting-state activity in both MEG and SEEG data. Both CFS and PAC networks coupled theta and alpha oscillations with higher frequencies in large-scale networks connecting anterior and posterior brain regions. CFS and PAC networks had distinct spectral patterns and opposing distribution of low- and high frequency network hubs, implying that they constitute distinct CFC mechanisms. The strength of CFS networks was also predictive of cognitive performance in a separate neuropsychological assessment. In conclusion, these results provide evidence for inter-areal CFS and PAC being two distinct mechanisms for coupling oscillations across frequencies in large-scale brain networks.

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Section: Characteristics Of Cfc Network In Resting-state Human Brainmentioning

confidence: 94%

Genuine cross-frequency coupling networks in human resting-state electrophysiological recordings

Siebenhuehner

Wang

Arnulfo

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…from semantic memory. Much of this information to the apical compartment comes from higher cortical areas (cortical feedback), from higher order thalamic nuclei, and from the limbic system (Larkum, 2013;Aru et al, 2019). AIZ integrates that input, so that it can be propagated to the somatic integration zone in certain brain states ( Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apical drive—A cellular mechanism of dreaming?

Aru

Siclari

Phillips

et al. 2020

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

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Dreams are internally generated experiences that occur independently of current sensory input. Here we argue, based on cortical anatomy and function, that dream experiences are tightly related to the workings of a specific part of cortical pyramidal neurons, the apical integration zone (AIZ). The AIZ receives and processes contextual information from diverse sources and could constitute a major switch point for transitioning from externally to internally generated experiences such as dreams. We propose that during dreams the output of certain pyramidal neurons is mainly driven by input into the AIZ. We call this mode of functioning "apical drive". Our hypothesis is based on the evidence that the cholinergic and adrenergic arousal systems, which show different dynamics between waking, slow wave sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep, have specific effects on the AIZ. We suggest that apical drive may also contribute to waking experiences, such as mental imagery. Future studies, investigating the different modes of apical function and their regulation during sleep and wakefulness are likely to be richly rewarded.

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“…The thalamus is highly interconnected with the cortex and receives important inputs from the brainstem arousal centers (Brown et al, 2010). Furthermore, both thalamocortical and corticothalamic connectivity are highly layer specific, giving rise to specific hypotheses that propose either deep (layers 5/6) or superficial (layer 2/3) may be more specifically linked to loss of consciousness (Aru et al, 2019;Dehaene and Changeux, 2011). Dehaene and Changeux (2011) link this to frontal cortex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural effects of propofol-induced unconsciousness and its reversal using thalamic stimulation

Bastos

Donoghue

Brincat

et al. 2020

Preprint

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AbstractThe specific circuit mechanisms through which anesthetics induce unconsciousness have not been completely characterized. We recorded neural activity from the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices and thalamus while maintaining unconsciousness in non-human primates (NHPs) with the anesthetic propofol. Unconsciousness was marked by slow frequency (~1 Hz) oscillations in local field potentials, entrainment of local spiking to Up states alternating with Down states of little spiking, and decreased coherence in frequencies above 4 Hz. Thalamic stimulation “awakened” anesthetized NHPs and reversed the electrophysiologic features of unconsciousness. Unconsciousness is linked to cortical and thalamic slow frequency synchrony coupled with decreased spiking, and loss of higher-frequency dynamics. This may disrupt cortical communication/integration.

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Coupling the State and Contents of Consciousness

Cited by 116 publications

References 86 publications

Genuine cross-frequency coupling networks in human resting-state electrophysiological recordings

Genuine cross-frequency coupling networks in human resting-state electrophysiological recordings

Apical drive—A cellular mechanism of dreaming?

Neural effects of propofol-induced unconsciousness and its reversal using thalamic stimulation

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