Consciousness May Reside in the ‘Primitive’ Parts of the Brain, New Research suggests
LONDON – Scientists are challenging long-held beliefs about the seat of consciousness, suggesting a fundamental level of awareness may originate in the older, “subcortical” regions of the brain – areas previously thought to only handle basic functions. Research led by Dr.Giacomo Coppola indicates that while the neocortex refines and expands conscious experience, the foundation for it might potentially be far more ancient and widespread than previously understood.
The findings stem from observations of animals, including monkeys who underwent surgical removal of their neocortex. Remarkably,these animals continued to exhibit emotion,self-grooming,parental care,and even learning abilities,suggesting the subcortex alone can support some level of conscious experience.
“The newer parts of the brain – and also the cerebellum - seem to expand and refine your consciousness,” Dr. Coppola explained.these regions build upon a basic level of awareness, adding complex elements like language, moral reasoning, a sense of self, and creativity – characteristics unique to human consciousness.
Researchers utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure metabolic changes in the brain,specifically tracking blood flow to identify areas activated during various tasks. fMRI differs from standard MRI scans, which primarily show brain structure, by revealing which brain regions are active during functions like language, memory, and movement.
This revelation implies that a basic form of consciousness isn’t solely dependent on the advanced neocortex, and likely evolved much earlier in the animal kingdom.
