The interpretive cortex; the stream of consciousness in the human brain can be electrically reactivated.

The interpretive cortex contains mechanisms for reactivating detailed past records and generating interpretive signals. These signals depend on scanning past experiences and selecting relevant ones for comparison with present experience, a subconscious process that may also make relevant past available for conscious consideration. Access to past records is equally available from the temporal cortex of either side. Auditory illusions and illusional emotions are produced by stimulating either temporal cortex, but visual illusions and illusions of recognition are produced only by stimulating the nondominant (right) temporal cortex, except in one case.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The interpretive cortex has in it a mechanism for instant reactivation of the detailed record of the past. It has a mechanism also for the production of interpretive signals. Such signals could only be significant if past records are scanned and relevant experiences are selected for comparison with present experience. This is a subconscious process. But it may well be that this scanning of past experience and selection from it also renders the relevant past available for conscious consideration as well. Thus, the individual may refer to the record as he employs other circuits of the brain. Access to the record of the past seems to be as readily available from the temporal cortex of one side as from that of the other. Auditory illusions (or interpretations of the distance, loudness, or tempo of sounds) have been produced by stimulation of the temporal cortex of either side. The same is true of illusional emotions, such as fear and disgust. But, on the contrary, visual illusions (interpretations of the distance, dimension, erectness, and tempo of things seen) are only produced by stimulation of the temporal cortex on the nondominant (normally, right) side of the brain. Illusions of recognition, such as familiarity or strangeness, were also elicited only from the nondominant side, except in one case.