Complex of global functional network as the core of consciousness

• Published in: Neuroscience research 2023-05, Vol.190, p.67-77
• Main Authors: Onoda, Keiichi, Akama, Hiroyuki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain - diagnostic imaging; Complex; Connectome - methods; Consciousness; Core of consciousness; FMRI; Humans; Integrated information theory; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sleep; Wakefulness
• ISSN: 0168-0102; 1872-8111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.12.007

Finding the neural basis of consciousness is challenging, and the distribution location of the core of consciousness remains inconclusive. Integrated information theory (IIT) argues that the posterior part of the brain is the hot zone of consciousness, especially phenological consciousness. The IIT has proposed a “main complex”, a set of elements determined such that the information loss in a hierarchical partition approach is the largest among those of any other supersets and subsets, as the core of consciousness in a dynamic system. This approach may be applicable not only to phenomenal but also to access-consciousness. This study estimated the main complex of brain dynamics using functional magnetic resonance imaging in Human Connectome Project (HCP) and sleep datasets. The complex analyses revealed the common networks across various tasks and rest-state in HCP, composed of executive control, salience, and dorsal/ventral attention networks. The set of networks of the main complex was maintained during sleep. However, compared with the wakefulness stage, the amount of information of these networks and the default mode network, was reduced for the hypnagogic stage. The global interconnected structure composed of major functional networks can comprise the core of consciousness. [Display omitted] •This study estimated the complex of global functional networks.•The complex consists of multiple task-positive networks.•These networks showed decreased information during sleep.•These global networks can comprise the core of consciousness.