Leveraging nonhuman primate multisensory neurons and circuits in assessing consciousness theory

Jean Paul Noel, Yumiko Ishizawa, Shaun R. Patel, Emad N. Eskandar, Mark T. Wallace

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both the global neuronal workspace (GNW) and integrated information theory (IIT) posit that highly complex and interconnected networks engender perceptual awareness. GNW specifies that activity recruiting frontoparietal networks will elicit a subjective experience, whereas IIT is more concerned with the functional architecture of networks than with activity within it. Here, we argue that according to IIT mathematics, circuits converging on integrative versus convergent yet non-integrative neurons should support a greater degree of consciousness. We test this hypothesis by analyzing a dataset of neuronal responses collected simultaneously from primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and ventral premotor cortex (vPM) in nonhuman primates presented with auditory, tactile, and audio-tactile stimuli as they are progressively anesthetized with propofol. We first describe the multisensory (audio-tactile) characteristics of S1 and vPM neurons (mean and dispersion tendencies, as well as noise-correlations), and functionally label these neurons as convergent or integrative according to their spiking responses. Then, we characterize how these different pools of neurons behave as a function of consciousness. At odds with the IIT mathematics, results suggest that convergent neurons more readily exhibit properties of consciousness (neural complexity and noise correlation) and are more impacted during the loss of consciousness than integrative neurons. Last, we provide support for the GNW by showing that neural ignition (i.e., same trial coactivation of S1 and vPM) was more frequent in conscious than unconscious states. Overall, we contrast GNW and IIT within the same single-unit activity dataset, and support the GNW.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7485-7500
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume39
Issue number38
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 18 2019

Keywords

  • Complexity
  • Consciousness
  • Integrated information
  • Noise correlations
  • Primary somatosensory cortex
  • Ventral premotor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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