Electrophysiological evidence for phenomenal consciousness.
Cognitive neuroscience September 1, 2010 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2010.497580 via PubMed
Summary
The study shows that the earliest brain activity associated with visual consciousness occurs in the posterior visual cortex approximately 100-200 ms after a stimulus appears. This early activity is linked to recurrent processing and is largely independent of later brain responses related to attention and working memory. The findings suggest that visual consciousness arises before access consciousness, highlighting that attention and awareness are governed by different neural mechanisms.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The earliest ERP correlate of visual consciousness appears over posterior visual cortex around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset. |
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Abstract
Abstract Recent evidence from event-related brain potentials (ERPs) lends support to two central theses in Lamme's theory. The earliest ERP correlate of visual consciousness appears over posterior visual cortex around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset. Its scalp topography and time window are consistent with recurrent processing in the visual cortex. This electrophysiological correlate of visual consciousness is mostly independent of later ERPs reflecting selective attention and working memory functions. Overall, the ERP evidence supports the view that phenomenal consciousness of a visual stimulus emerges earlier than access consciousness, and that attention and awareness are served by distinct neural processes.