The global workspace (GW) theory of consciousness and epilepsy
The global workspace (GW) theory of consciousness and epilepsy
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DOI：
10.1155/2011/127864
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发表时间：
2011-01-01
影响因子：
2.8
通讯作者：
Naccache, Lionel
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Bartolomei, Fabrice;Naccache, Lionel
全球工作空间（GW）理论认为，意识加工是由广泛分布的大脑区域之间连贯的神经元活动产生的，其中额顶叶联合皮层是关键要素。在该模型中，意识和无意识状态之间的过渡被预测为由分布式神经空间内相干水平的突然非线性大量变化引起的。癫痫发作提供了一个独特的模型来探索这一中心假设的有效性。癫痫发作的特征通常是发生严重的意识改变（AOC），这在很大程度上对患者的生活产生负面影响。最近，我们已经表明，这些突然的AOC与远端皮质-皮质和皮质-丘脑网络中神经同步的非线性增加是同步的。我们根据GW理论解释了这些结果，并认为过度的同步可能会阻止这种分布式网络达到编码意识表征所需的最小分化和复杂性水平。这些观察结果证实了GW模型的一些预测，并进一步明确了与意识加工相关的神经相干性（最小和最大）的生理窗口。
The global workspace (GW) theory proposes that conscious processing results from coherent neuronal activity between widely distributed brain regions, with fronto-parietal associative cortices as key elements. In this model, transition between conscious and non conscious states are predicted to be caused by abrupt non-linear massive changes of the level of coherence within this distributed neural space. Epileptic seizures offer a unique model to explore the validity of this central hypothesis. Seizures are often characterized by the occurrence of brutal alterations of consciousness (AOC) which are largely negatively impacting patients' lives. Recently, we have shown that these sudden AOC are contemporary to non-linear increases of neural synchrony within distant cortico-cortical and cortico-thalamic networks. We interpreted these results in the light of GW theory, and suggested that excessive synchrony could prevent this distributed network to reach the minimal level of differentiation and complexity necessary to the coding of conscious representations. These observations both confirm some predictions of the GW model, and further specify the physiological window of neural coherence (minimum and maximum) associated with conscious processing.