Bifurcation dynamics in a shared network beyond sensory areas characterize conscious auditory perception independently of report
Julie Boyer, Nathan Beraud, Benoît Béranger, Thomas Valentin Hardy, Başak Türker, Hortense Gouyette, Alizée Lopez‐Persem, Claire Sergent
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) June 22, 2026 DOI: 10.64898/2026.06.17.732590 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConscious perception is linked to all-or-none late brain activations that exhibit bifurcation dynamics, even without a task. Using fMRI and near-threshold auditory stimulation, this study identified the brain networks producing these bifurcations and how they differ depending on task context. Stimulus intensity modulated activity across broad networks including sensory and extra-sensory regions like the prefrontal cortex in both task and no-task contexts. These networks had both shared and distinct components. Single-trial modeling revealed bifurcation dynamics beyond primary sensory cortices and allowed prediction of conscious perception on individual trials in both contexts, resolving previous conflicting results and showing common networks and dynamics underlying conscious perception regardless of task.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Sensory system Stimulus psychology Dynamics music Network dynamics Sensory stimulation therapy |
| Key finding | Conscious perception is associated with bifurcation dynamics in broad networks spanning sensory and extra-sensory regions, including prefrontal cortex, regardless of task context. |
Abstract
The neural correlates of conscious perception remain debated, particularly regarding the role of extra-sensory regions such as the prefrontal cortex. One promising approach is to study the dynamical properties of neural processing in task-related and task-free contexts. A previous EEG study showed that conscious perception is associated with all-or-none late activations, giving rise to bifurcation dynamics even without a task. Here we used fMRI and near-threshold auditory stimulation to ask which brain networks give rise to these bifurcations, and how they diOer depending on task. In both contexts, stimulus intensity modulated activity within broad networks spanning sensory and extra-sensory regions, including the prefrontal cortex. These networks showed both shared and distinct components. Single-trial modelling further revealed bifurcation dynamics beyond primary sensory cortices and enabled single-trial prediction of conscious perception in both contexts. These findings resolve previous conflicting results and reveal common networks and dynamics underlying conscious perception irrespective of task.