Where is the ghost in the shell?

New evidence shows that applying transcranial magnetic stimulation to the parietal cortex does not alter bistable perception, challenging some theories about the neural correlates of consciousness. This finding suggests that the parietal cortex may not be directly involved in generating conscious perceptual switches, prompting a reconsideration of where and how to search for the brain mechanisms underlying conscious experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The neurobiology of conscious experience is one of the fundamental mysteries in science. New evidence suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation of the parietal cortex does not modulate bistable perception. What does this mean for the neural correlates of consciousness, and how should we search for them?