Beyond the veil of duality—topographic reorganization model of meditation

Neuroscience of Consciousness, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2022(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Abstract Meditation can exert a profound impact on our mental life, with proficient practitioners often reporting an experience free of boundaries between separate self and the environment, suggesting explicit “nondual awareness.” What are neural correlates such experiences how do they relate to idea nondual awareness itself? In order unravel effects that meditation has brain’s spatial topography, we review functional magnetic resonance imaging brain findings from studies specific array types meditator levels. We also directly probe interaction self. The main results (i) decreased posterior default mode network (DMN) activity, (ii) increased central executive (CEN) (iii) connectivity within DMN as well anterior DMN, (iv) CEN, (v) significantly impacted CEN (likely nonlinear phenomenon). Together, these suggest organizational shift topography in advanced meditators—we therefore propose topographic reorganization model (TRoM). One core component TRoM is related decrease mental-self-processing along synchronization more layers self-processing, notably interoceptive exteroceptive-self-processing. This functionality both self-processing result awareness. conclusion, this provides insight into proposes result-driven unifying (TRoM) aimed at identifying inextricably tied objective (neural) subjective (experiential) meditation.

Language: Английский

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Whole‐brain analyses indicate the impairment of posterior integration and thalamo‐frontotemporal broadcasting in disorders of consciousness

Human Brain Mapping, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 44(11), P. 4352 - 4371

Published: May 31, 2023

Abstract The study of the brain's dynamical activity is opening a window to help clinical assessment patients with disorders consciousness. For example, glucose uptake and dysfunctional spread naturalistic synthetic stimuli has proven useful characterize hampered However, understanding mechanisms behind loss consciousness following brain injury still missing. Here, we propagation endogenous in‐silico exogenous perturbations in consciousness, based upon directed causal interactions estimated from resting‐state fMRI data, fitted linear model propagation. We found that suffer decreased capacity for neural responsiveness events, this can be related severe reduction metabolism as measured [ 18 F]FDG‐PET. In particular, show malfunctioning two circuits: posterior cortical regions failing convey information, conjunction reduced broadcasting information subcortical, temporal, parietal frontal regions. These results shed light on triangulating network function basic measures integrity behavior.

Language: Английский

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Scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography and task alignment decline from conscious to unconscious states

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: May 9, 2023

Abstract Scale-free physiological processes are ubiquitous in the human organism. Resting-state functional MRI studies observed loss of scale-free dynamics under anesthesia. In contrast, modulation during task-related activity remains an open question. We investigate cerebral cortex’s unimodal periphery and transmodal core topography rest task states three conscious levels (awake, sedation, anesthesia) complemented by computational modelling (Stuart-Landau model). The empirical findings demonstrate that brain’s intrinsic core-periphery anesthesia, where pink noise transforms into white noise, disrupts neuronal alignment with task’s temporal structure. model shows stimuli’s dynamics, namely distinguishes from brown also modulate activity. Together, we provide evidence for two mechanisms consciousness, temporo-spatial nestedness alignment, suggested Temporo-Spatial Theory Consciousness (TTC).

Language: Английский

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Common Currency Theory – Connecting neural and mental features through temporo-spatial dynamics

Physics of Life Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 52, P. 29 - 43

Published: Nov. 21, 2024

Despite major progress in our understanding of the brain, connection neural and mental features, that is, brain mind, remains yet elusive. In 2020 target paper ("Is temporospatial dynamics 'common currency' mind? Spatiotemporal Neuroscience") we proposed "Common currency hypothesis": temporo-spatial are shared by providing their connection. The current aims to further support extend original description such common into a first outline theory" (CCT) neuro-mental relationship. First, range examples thoughts, meditation, depression attention all lending temporal characteristics, (i.e. dynamics) both features. Second, now also show empirical how spatial i.e., topography, features; this is illustrated topographic reorganization states meditation. Third, considering theoretical terms, specify relationship distinct forms correspondences, ranging on continuum from simple complex. conclusion, initial hypothesis about key role an integrated mind-brain theory, (CCT).

Language: Английский

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Assessing the commensurability of theories of consciousness: On the usefulness of common denominators in differentiating, integrating and testing hypotheses

Consciousness and Cognition, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 119, P. 103668 - 103668

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

How deep is the current diversity in panoply of theories to define consciousness, and what extent do these share common denominators? Here we first examine different are commensurable (or comparable) along particular dimensions. We posit logical (and, when applicable, empirical) commensurability as a necessary condition for identifying denominators among theories. By consequence, dimensions inclusion set logically empirically consciousness can be proposed. Next, compare limited subset neuroscience-based terms commensurability. This analysis does not yield denominator that might serve minimally unifying model consciousness. Theories seem akin by one remote another. suggest methodology comparing via multiple probing questions, allowing discern overall (dis)similarities between Despite very background definitions conclude that, if attention paid search methological approach brain-consciousness relationships, it should possible principle overcome Babylonian confusion tongues eventually integrate merge

Language: Английский

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