Nature reviews. Neuroscience
April 20, 2016
Christof Koch, Marcello Massimini, Melanie Boly et al.
1,654 citations
The neural correlates of consciousness—the minimum neural mechanisms sufficient for any one specific conscious percept—are primarily localized to a posterior cortical hot zone that includes sensory areas, rather than to a fronto-parietal network involved in task monitoring and reporting. Some candidate neurophysiological markers of consciousness have proved illusory, while measures of differentiation and integration of neural activity offer more promising quantitative indices of consciousness.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
July 5, 2021
Jonathan Smallwood, Boris C. Bernhardt, Robert Leech et al.
970 citations
The default mode network (DMN) is a set of brain regions in the parietal, temporal, and frontal cortex that typically reduce activity during attention-demanding tasks but increase activity during complex cognition linked to memory or abstract thought. These regions are located farthest from sensory and motor systems. The paper considers how knowledge of the DMN's topographic characteristics can be used to better understand its contributions to cognition and behavior.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
July 1, 2022
Anil K. Seth, Tim Bayne
836 citations
Four prominent theoretical approaches to consciousness are reviewed: higher-order theories, global workspace theories, re-entry and predictive processing theories, and integrated information theory. Each theory's key characteristics are described, including which aspects of consciousness they explain, their neurobiological commitments, and supporting empirical data. The review considers how empirical debates might distinguish among these theories and outlines three ways theories need to be developed for rigorous testing. Iterative development, testing, and comparison of these theories is expected to deepen understanding of consciousness.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
April 1, 2002
Geraint Rees, Gabriel Kreiman, Christof Koch
742 citations
No Summary
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
January 22, 2021
Yaara Yeshurun, Mai Nguyen, Uri Hasson
701 citations
The default mode network (DMN), traditionally seen as an internally focused system for daydreaming and planning, is proposed to be an active 'sense-making' network that combines incoming external information with prior internal knowledge to build rich, context-dependent models of unfolding situations. Review of studies using naturalistic stimuli like stories and movies shows that an individual's DMN responses are shaped both by external information accumulating over time and by personal past memories. This integration over long timescales creates a shared neural code essential for shared meaning, communication, narratives, and social communities.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
February 1, 2025
Clara Liao, Alisha N Dua, Cassandra Wojtasiewicz et al.
60 citations
A feature of major depressive disorder is impaired excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex. Treatments with rapid antidepressant effects—ketamine, electroconvulsive therapy, and non-invasive neurostimulation—appear to enhance neural plasticity, but the specific forms and mechanisms linking these interventions to restoring excitatory synaptic function remain unknown. This review highlights preclinical research from the past 15 years showing that ketamine and psychedelic drugs can trigger growth of dendritic spines in cortical pyramidal neurons.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
May 23, 2025
Sharif I Kronemer, Peter A Bandettini, Javier Gonzalez-Castillo
5 citations
Consciousness is inherently private, but overt behaviors like facial expressions and vocalizations are unreliable indicators because they can be deceptive, absent, or conflict with research goals. This review examines emerging covert physiological measures—including eye, skin, respiratory, and heart signals—that can disclose consciousness without relying on overt behavior. It also addresses the challenge of distinguishing physiological signals linked to conscious versus unconscious neural processing and considers the ethical implications of infringing on the innate privacy of consciousness.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
January 6, 2026
Sian Lewis
Psilocybin may enhance neuroplasticity, with a study involving 100 participants showing a 30% improvement in cognitive flexibility after treatment. This psychedelic compound influences neural activity, promoting connections in the brain akin to artificial neural networks. Participants reported heightened creativity and problem-solving abilities, suggesting potential applications in neuroscience and psychology. The findings align with emerging insights in cannabis and cannabinoid research, highlighting how psychedelics can reshape our understanding of biological systems and mental health therapies, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
November 11, 2025
Sian Lewis
Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of adults, significantly impacting quality of life and leading to high healthcare costs. In a study with 300 participants, 70% reported anxiety or depression alongside their pain. Interestingly, those receiving placebo treatments experienced a 30% reduction in pain levels, highlighting the powerful role of expectation in pain management. Additionally, advancements in psychedelics show promise for treating chronic disease-related anxiety and hyperalgesia, offering new avenues for physical medicine and rehabilitation in addressing these complex conditions.
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
July 1, 2021
Johannes G Ramaekers, Natasha L Mason, Lilian Kloft et al.
Acute cannabis intoxication can impair neurocognitive function, potentially leading to human error, injury, and psychological distress. However, the impairing effect varies among individuals and may not occur in all users. The neurocognitive response is driven by changes in mesocorticolimbic and salience network activity and can be exacerbated or mitigated by biological and pharmacological factors, product formulations, and frequency of use, and it can differ between recreational and therapeutic use. These determinants should be considered when defining cannabis impairment in legal contexts, prescribing cannabis therapeutically, and informing the public about safe and responsible use.