Exploration of the Neural Correlates of Consciousness Using Linear Latent Model

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) applied at rest to patients with disorders of consciousness and to monkeys under anesthesia reveals that the anterior (frontal) cortex plays a more prominent role in conscious information processing than the posterior cortex. The study used a modular hierarchical analysis model to identify groups of brain regions whose activity changes together. The findings provide causal evidence supporting the anterior cortex's contribution to consciousness, addressing an ongoing debate about the neural correlates of consciousness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a promising technique for studying consciousness recovery in patients suffering from Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) and in monkeys with anesthesia-induced Loss of Consciousness (LoC). When talking about the neural correlates of consciousness, the role of the frontal cortex remains a matter of debate. Using direct causal Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) at rest, we want to highlight the predominant networks processing conscious information. To recover these networks, we adopt the Modular Hierarchical Analysis (MHA) latent variable model that automatically identifies groups of regions sharing joint Brain Network Activities (BNAs). We demonstrate empirical DBS-driven evidence for a contribution of the anterior versus posterior cortex to consciousness.