A review of the Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC) proposes that consciousness arises from the brain's spontaneous activity, not just from external stimuli. The TTC aims to bridge gaps between spontaneous and stimulus-related neural activity and between neuronal and phenomenal features. It introduces four mechanisms—expansion, globalization, alignment, and nestedness—linked to distinct dimensions of consciousness: phenomenal content, access, form/structure, and level/state. The authors conclude the TTC offers a unifying framework for different neuroscientific theories and generates empirically grounded hypotheses about the biological nature of consciousness and its relation to the brain.
The connection between brain activity and mental experience remains poorly understood. The authors extend their earlier hypothesis that shared temporal and spatial dynamics provide a 'common currency' linking neural and mental features. They present additional evidence from thoughts, meditation, depression, and attention showing that temporal characteristics are shared by both brain and mind. New empirical examples demonstrate that spatial characteristics, such as topographic reorganization, are also shared in depression and meditation. The authors specify distinct forms of temporospatial correspondences along a continuum from simple to complex. They propose an integrated mind-brain theory called the Common currency theory (CCT) as a framework for understanding the neuro-mental relationship.