Scientific Understanding of Consciousness
Consciousness as an Emergent Property of Thalamocortical Activity

Thalamocortical Circuit Diagram

Llinás & Paré; Dreaming and Wakefulness

Baars; Essential Sources in the Scientific Study of Consciousness

 

 

 

 

Schematic diagram showing the interconnections of the basic cellular components of the thalamocortical system

The left panel illustrates simulated spike trains of these various cell types in waking, slow-wave sleep, and REM sleep.

Note the sharp contrast between the activity of thalamic and cortical cells in slow-wave sleep and EEG-desynchronized states.

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