Human Brain Organoids and Consciousness

Neuroethics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 4, 2022

Abstract This article proposes a methodological schema for engaging in productive discussion of ethical issues regarding human brain organoids (HBOs), which are three-dimensional cortical neural tissues created using pluripotent stem cells. Although moral consideration HBOs significantly involves the possibility that they have consciousness, there is no widely accepted procedure to determine whether conscious. Given this case, it has been argued we should adopt precautionary principle about consciousness according which, if not certain consciousness—and where treating as having may cause harm them—we proceed do consciousness. emphasizes advantage adopting principle: enables us sidestep question (the whether-question) and, instead, directly address w hat kinds conscious experiences can what-kind-question), what-kind-question more tractable than whether-question. By addressing (and, particular, what valenced have), will be able examine how much deserve. With mind, confronts with assistance experimental studies and suggests an framework supports restricting creation use bioscience.

Language: Английский

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Back to square one: the bodily roots of conscious experiences in early life

Neuroscience of Consciousness, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2021(2)

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

Abstract Most theoretical and empirical discussions about the nature of consciousness are typically couched in a way that endorses tacit adult-centric vision-based perspective. This paper defends idea science may be put on fruitful track for its next phase by examining subjective experiences through bottom-up developmental lens. We draw attention to intrinsic link between consciousness, experiencing subjects, which first foremost embodied situated organisms essentially concerned with self-preservation within precarious environment. Our suggests order understand what ‘is’, one should tackle fundamental question: how do ‘arise’ from square one? then highlight key yet overlooked aspect human studies, namely earliest closest environment an subject is body another subject. present evidence speaking favour fairly sophisticated forms early sensorimotor integration bodily signals self-generated actions already being established utero. conclude these primitive fundamentally relational co-embodied roots our have crucial impact beings consciously experience self, world across their lifespan.

Language: Английский

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Consciousness in a Rotor? Science and Ethics of Potentially Conscious Human Cerebral Organoids

AJOB Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 178 - 196

Published: Feb. 15, 2023

Human cerebral organoids are three-dimensional biological cultures grown in the laboratory to mimic as closely possible cellular composition, structure, and function of corresponding organ, brain. For now, lack blood vessels other characteristics human brain, but also capable having coordinated electrical activity. They have been usefully employed for study several diseases development nervous system unprecedented ways. Research on is proceeding at a very fast pace their complexity bound improve. This raises question whether will be able develop unique feature consciousness. If this case, some ethical issues would arise. In article, we discuss necessary neural correlates constraints emergence consciousness according most debated neuroscientific theories. Based this, consider what moral status potentially conscious brain organoid might be, light ontological arguments. We conclude by proposing precautionary principle leads further investigation. particular, outcomes recent experiments entities potential new kind.

Language: Английский

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A synergistic workspace for human consciousness revealed by Integrated Information Decomposition

eLife, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: July 25, 2023

How is the information-processing architecture of human brain organised, and how does its organisation support consciousness? Here, we combine network science a rigorous information-theoretic notion synergy to delineate ‘synergistic global workspace’, comprising gateway regions that gather synergistic information from specialised modules across brain. This then integrated within workspace widely distributed via broadcaster regions. Through functional MRI analysis, show correspond brain’s default mode network, whereas broadcasters coincide with executive control network. We find loss consciousness due general anaesthesia or disorders corresponds diminished ability integrate information, which restored upon recovery. Thus, coincides breakdown integration work contributes conceptual empirical reconciliation between two prominent scientific theories consciousness, Global Neuronal Workspace Integrated Information Theory, while also advancing our understanding supports through information.

Language: Английский

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Beyond alpha power: EEG spatial and spectral gradients robustly stratify disorders of consciousness

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(11), P. 7193 - 7210

Published: Jan. 26, 2023

Abstract Neurophysiological markers can overcome the limitations of behavioural assessments Disorders Consciousness (DoC). EEG alpha power emerged as a promising marker for DoC, although long-standing literature reported being sustained during anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, and reduced dreaming hallucinations. We hypothesized that suppression caused by severe anoxia could explain this conflict. Accordingly, we split DoC patients (n = 87) in postanoxic non-postanoxic cohorts. Alpha was suppressed only postanoxia but failed to discriminate un/consciousness other aetiologies. Furthermore, it did not generalize an independent reference dataset 65) neurotypical, neurological, anesthesia conditions. then investigated spatio-spectral gradients, reflecting anteriorization slowing, alternative markers. In these features, combined bivariate model, reliably stratified indexed consciousness, even unresponsive identified conscious neural (the Perturbational Complexity Index). Crucially, model optimally generalized dataset. Overall, does index consciousness; rather, its entails diffuse cortical damage, patients. As alternative, distinct pathophysiological mechanisms, jointly provide robust, parsimonious, generalizable whose clinical application may guide rehabilitation efforts.

Language: Английский

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The Edge of Sentience

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 19, 2024

Abstract Can octopuses feel pain and pleasure? What about crabs, shrimps, insects, or spiders? How do we tell whether a person unresponsive after severe brain injury might be suffering? When does fetus in the womb start to have conscious experiences? Could there even rudimentary feelings miniature models of human brain, grown from stem cells? And what AI? These are questions edge sentience, they subject enormous, disorienting uncertainty. The stakes immense, neglecting risks can terrible costs. We need err on side caution, yet it’s often far clear ‘erring caution’ should mean practice. going too far? not doing enough? Edge Sentience presents comprehensive precautionary framework designed help us reach ethically sound, evidence-based decisions despite our

Language: Английский

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Covert consciousness

Neurorehabilitation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 54(1), P. 23 - 42

Published: Jan. 12, 2024

Covert consciousness is a state of residual awareness following severe brain injury or neurological disorder that evades routine bedside behavioral detection. Patients with covert have preserved but are incapable self-expression through ordinary means behavior communication. Growing recognition the limitations neurobehavioral examination in reliably detecting consciousness, along advances neurotechnologies capable states subtle signs indicative not discernible by examination, carry promise to transform approaches classifying, diagnosing, prognosticating and treating disorders consciousness. Here we describe critically evaluate evolving clinical category including its diagnosis neuroimaging, electrophysiology, novel tools, prognostic relevance, open questions pertaining optimal management patients recovering from injury.

Language: Английский

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The Awakening of the Newborn Human Infant and the Emergence of Consciousness

Acta Paediatrica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 15, 2025

ABSTRACT Consciousness develops gradually in the womb and after birth, rather than being an all or none phenomenon. A newborn infant is aroused wakes up at due to enormous sensory stimulation stress that it undergoes during transition from aquatic environment air. Its first breaths activate locus coeruleus, as indicated by large pupils of newborn. The seems be aware its body can recognise mother's facial expressions, voice smell. default mode network matures soon birth which appears keep brain a conscious state. Thus probably conscious, albeit low level. foetus also shows some signs about 24 weeks gestation, although mainly asleep less environment. Before stage, nerves primary somatosensory, visual auditory areas are not yet connected with site consciousness cerebral cortex.

Language: Английский

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A synergistic workspace for human consciousness revealed by Integrated Information Decomposition

eLife, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: July 18, 2024

How is the information-processing architecture of human brain organised, and how does its organisation support consciousness? Here, we combine network science a rigorous information-theoretic notion synergy to delineate ‘synergistic global workspace’, comprising gateway regions that gather synergistic information from specialised modules across brain. This then integrated within workspace widely distributed via broadcaster regions. Through functional MRI analysis, show correspond brain’s default mode network, whereas broadcasters coincide with executive control network. We find loss consciousness due general anaesthesia or disorders corresponds diminished ability integrate information, which restored upon recovery. Thus, coincides breakdown integration work contributes conceptual empirical reconciliation between two prominent scientific theories consciousness, Global Neuronal Workspace Integrated Information Theory, while also advancing our understanding supports through information.

Language: Английский

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Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness in akinetic mutism? Insights from a multimodal longitudinal exploration

European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 59(5), P. 860 - 873

Published: April 20, 2023

The clinical assessment of patients with disorders consciousness (DoC) relies on the observation behavioural responses to standardised sensory stimulation. However, several medical comorbidities may directly impair production reproducible and appropriate responses, thus reducing sensitivity behaviour-based diagnoses. One such comorbidity is akinetic mutism (AM), a rare neurological syndrome characterised by inability initiate volitional motor sometimes associated presentations that overlap those DoC. In this paper, we describe case patient large bilateral mesial frontal lesions, showing prolonged unresponsiveness severe disorganisation electroencephalographic (EEG) background, compatible vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness (VS/UWS). By applying an unprecedented multimodal battery advanced imaging electrophysiology-based techniques (AIE) encompassing spontaneous EEG, evoked potentials, event-related transcranial magnetic stimulation combined EEG structural functional MRI, provide following: (i) demonstration preservation despite in context AM, (ii) plausible neurophysiological explanation for its subsequent recovery during rehabilitation stay (iii) novel insights into relationships between DoC, AM parkinsonism. present offers proof-of-principle evidence supporting utility hierarchical workflow combines AIEs detect covert signs unresponsive patients.

Language: Английский

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