Consciousness is a prismatic and ambiguous concept that still eludes any universal definition. Severe acquired brain injuries resulting in a disorder of con-sciousness(DOC) provide a model from which insights into con...Consciousness is a prismatic and ambiguous concept that still eludes any universal definition. Severe acquired brain injuries resulting in a disorder of con-sciousness(DOC) provide a model from which insights into consciousness can be drawn. A number of recent studies highlight the difficulty in making a diagnosis in patients with DOC based only on behavioral assessments. Here we aim to provide an overview of how neuroimaging techniques can help assess patients with DOC. Such techniques are expected to facilitate a more accurate understanding of brain function in states of unconsciousness and to improve the evaluation of thepatient's cognitive abilities by providing both diagnostic and prognostic indicators.展开更多
Elucidation of critical brain areas or structures that are responsible for recovery of impaired consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness is important because it can provide information that is useful ...Elucidation of critical brain areas or structures that are responsible for recovery of impaired consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness is important because it can provide information that is useful when developing therapeutic strategies for neurorehabilitation or neurointervention in patients with disorders of consciousness.In this review,studies that have demonstrated brain changes during recovery of impaired consciousness were reviewed.These studies used positron emission tomography,electroencephalography/transcranial magnetic stimulation,diffusion tensor tractography,and diffusion tensor tractography/electroencephalography.The majority of these studies reported on the importance of supratentorial areas or structures in the recovery of impaired consciousness.The important brain areas or structures that were identified were the prefrontal cortex,basal forebrain,anterior cingulate cortex,and parietal cortex.These results have a clinically important implication that these brain areas or structures can be target areas for neurorehabilitation or neurointervention in patients with disorders of consciousness.However,most of studies were case reports;therefore,further original studies involving larger numbers of patients with disorders of consciousness are warranted.In addition,more detailed information on the brain areas or structures that are relevant to the recovery of impaired consciousness is needed.展开更多
This article aims to approach the“spontaneous healing”of Sister Bernardette Moriau from the view point of transpersonal psychology or psychology of consciousness and also to compare it with the“spiritual awakening...This article aims to approach the“spontaneous healing”of Sister Bernardette Moriau from the view point of transpersonal psychology or psychology of consciousness and also to compare it with the“spiritual awakening”of the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.Thus,within this scope of investigation,this article will refer to the so-called“modified states of consciousness”characteristic of these transcendental experiences,which are promoted by prayer and meditation,leading to“heat release”and“muscle relaxation”.These two cases of studies are part of the so-called“manifestations of the sacred”in the reality of contemporary society,which are studied by the Transcendence Neurology.This might contribute to a deeper knowledge of the role and place of ourselves in the Universe.展开更多
The residual consciousness of unconscious patients can be detected by studying the P300, a wave among event-related potentials. Previous studies have applied tones, the subject＇s name and other names as stimuli. Howe...The residual consciousness of unconscious patients can be detected by studying the P300, a wave among event-related potentials. Previous studies have applied tones, the subject＇s name and other names as stimuli. However, the results were not satisfactory. In this study, we changed the constituent order of subjects＇ two-character names to create derived names. The subject＇s derived names, together with tones and their own names, were used as auditory stimuli in event-related potential experiments. Healthy controls and unconscious patients were included in this study and made to listen to these auditory stimuli. In the two paradigms, a sine tone followed by the subject＇s own name and the subject＇s derived name followed by the subject＇s own name were used as standard and deviant stimuli, respectively. The results showed that all healthy controls had the P300 using both paradigms, and that the P300 in the second paradigm had a longer latency and two peaks. All minimally conscious state patients had the P300 in the first paradigm and the majority of them had the P300 in the second paradigm. Most vegetative state patients had no P300. Patients who showed the P300 in the two paradigms had more residual consciousness, and patients with the two-peak P300 had a higher probability of awakening within a short time. Our experimental findings suggest that the P300 event-related potential could reflect the conscious state of unconscious patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Persistent vegetative state(PVS)is a devastating and long-lasting clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality;currently,there are no available effective interventions.CASE SUMMARY We report the cas...BACKGROUND Persistent vegetative state(PVS)is a devastating and long-lasting clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality;currently,there are no available effective interventions.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of an 11-year-old boy with PVS caused by severe intracerebral bleeding in the left hemisphere following anticoagulation treatment.The patient’s PVS severity showed no notable improvement after 2-mo neuroprotective treatment and rehabilitation,including nerve growth factor and baclofen,hyperbaric oxygen,and comprehensive bedside rehabilitation therapies.Daily inhalation treatment(4-6 h)of high-concentration hydrogen(H2)gas(66.6%H2+33.3%O2)was provided.Surprisingly,the patient’s orientation,consciousness,ability to speak,facial expressions,and locomotor function were significantly restored,along with improvements in essential general health status,after H2 gas inhalation treatment,which was consistent with stabilized neuropathology in the left hemisphere and increased Hounsfield unit values of computed tomography in the right hemisphere.The patient finally recovered to a near normal conscious state with a Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Score of 22 from his previous score of 3.CONCLUSION Phase 1 clinical trials are needed to explore the safety and efficacy of H2 gas inhalation in patients with PVS.展开更多
Virginia Woolf is one of the most prominent novelists of the"stream of conscious"school in English literature. She made many experiments in her novel writing. Among all her novels,Mrs. Dalloway is one of her...Virginia Woolf is one of the most prominent novelists of the"stream of conscious"school in English literature. She made many experiments in her novel writing. Among all her novels,Mrs. Dalloway is one of her completely successful experiments in a new form. In this novel,Woolf explored with subtlety the problems of personal identity and their living state. This article will analyze the contradictory living state of the main characters in Mrs. Dalloway,such as Clarrisa Dalloway and Warren Smith Septimus.展开更多
Dear Editor Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of brain functions,the neural substrates and correlates of consciousness remain unclear[1].It has been argued that classical physics is intrinsically incapa...Dear Editor Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of brain functions,the neural substrates and correlates of consciousness remain unclear[1].It has been argued that classical physics is intrinsically incapable of explaining the holistic aspects of consciousness.展开更多
This paper offers a critical examination of“neurophysicalism”,namely the thesis that phenomenal consciousness is nothing over and above neural states(processes)in the brain,in light of empirical researches on some“...This paper offers a critical examination of“neurophysicalism”,namely the thesis that phenomenal consciousness is nothing over and above neural states(processes)in the brain,in light of empirical researches on some“altered states of consciousness”(lucid dreaming and mystical experiences).By probing the implication of“neurophysicalism”in the empirical world,it is argued that“neurophysicalism”is committed to the principle of“psycho-neural isomorphism”to the effect that the structural features of any state(process)of phenomenal consciousness are isomorphic to the physical structural features of the corresponding“neural correlate”of that state(process)of consciousness.However,in the case of lucid dreaming and mystical experiences,the principle of“psycho-neural isomorphism”does not hold true,which implies that there is a structural mismatch between the phenomenal structure and the physical structure of the corresponding“neural correlates”.The phenomenal structure of lucid dreaming is characterized by features that are unconstant,bizarre,and uncertain,whereas the“neural correlates”of lucid dreaming possess physical structure that is deterministic(with low entropy).In the case of mystical experiences,although the phenomenal structure is characterized by strong realness and constancy,the physical structure of the corresponding“neural correlates”is chaotic and disordered(with high entropy).The phenomenon of structural mismatch challenges“neurophysicalism”in the empirical world.Some possible objections from“neurophysicalists”are examined,including“neural misrepresentation”,“errors of introspective reports”,and“neural correlates not being detected”,none of which withstands scrutiny.The author concludes by proposing an alternative metaphysics for consciousness that takes the brain to be a“valve”“filtering”and constraining unbound consciousness.展开更多
基金Supported by The European Commissionthe James McDon-nell Foundation+5 种基金the European Space AgencyMind Science Foundationthe French Speaking Community Concerted Research Actionthe Belgian interuniversity attraction polethe Public Utility Foundation"Université Européenne du Travail""Fondazione Europea di Ricerca Biomedica"and the University and University Hospital of Liège
文摘Consciousness is a prismatic and ambiguous concept that still eludes any universal definition. Severe acquired brain injuries resulting in a disorder of con-sciousness(DOC) provide a model from which insights into consciousness can be drawn. A number of recent studies highlight the difficulty in making a diagnosis in patients with DOC based only on behavioral assessments. Here we aim to provide an overview of how neuroimaging techniques can help assess patients with DOC. Such techniques are expected to facilitate a more accurate understanding of brain function in states of unconsciousness and to improve the evaluation of thepatient's cognitive abilities by providing both diagnostic and prognostic indicators.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korean Government(MSIP)(No.2018R1A2B6000996to SHJ)
文摘Elucidation of critical brain areas or structures that are responsible for recovery of impaired consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness is important because it can provide information that is useful when developing therapeutic strategies for neurorehabilitation or neurointervention in patients with disorders of consciousness.In this review,studies that have demonstrated brain changes during recovery of impaired consciousness were reviewed.These studies used positron emission tomography,electroencephalography/transcranial magnetic stimulation,diffusion tensor tractography,and diffusion tensor tractography/electroencephalography.The majority of these studies reported on the importance of supratentorial areas or structures in the recovery of impaired consciousness.The important brain areas or structures that were identified were the prefrontal cortex,basal forebrain,anterior cingulate cortex,and parietal cortex.These results have a clinically important implication that these brain areas or structures can be target areas for neurorehabilitation or neurointervention in patients with disorders of consciousness.However,most of studies were case reports;therefore,further original studies involving larger numbers of patients with disorders of consciousness are warranted.In addition,more detailed information on the brain areas or structures that are relevant to the recovery of impaired consciousness is needed.
文摘This article aims to approach the“spontaneous healing”of Sister Bernardette Moriau from the view point of transpersonal psychology or psychology of consciousness and also to compare it with the“spiritual awakening”of the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.Thus,within this scope of investigation,this article will refer to the so-called“modified states of consciousness”characteristic of these transcendental experiences,which are promoted by prayer and meditation,leading to“heat release”and“muscle relaxation”.These two cases of studies are part of the so-called“manifestations of the sacred”in the reality of contemporary society,which are studied by the Transcendence Neurology.This might contribute to a deeper knowledge of the role and place of ourselves in the Universe.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81371194
文摘The residual consciousness of unconscious patients can be detected by studying the P300, a wave among event-related potentials. Previous studies have applied tones, the subject＇s name and other names as stimuli. However, the results were not satisfactory. In this study, we changed the constituent order of subjects＇ two-character names to create derived names. The subject＇s derived names, together with tones and their own names, were used as auditory stimuli in event-related potential experiments. Healthy controls and unconscious patients were included in this study and made to listen to these auditory stimuli. In the two paradigms, a sine tone followed by the subject＇s own name and the subject＇s derived name followed by the subject＇s own name were used as standard and deviant stimuli, respectively. The results showed that all healthy controls had the P300 using both paradigms, and that the P300 in the second paradigm had a longer latency and two peaks. All minimally conscious state patients had the P300 in the first paradigm and the majority of them had the P300 in the second paradigm. Most vegetative state patients had no P300. Patients who showed the P300 in the two paradigms had more residual consciousness, and patients with the two-peak P300 had a higher probability of awakening within a short time. Our experimental findings suggest that the P300 event-related potential could reflect the conscious state of unconscious patients.
文摘BACKGROUND Persistent vegetative state(PVS)is a devastating and long-lasting clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality;currently,there are no available effective interventions.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of an 11-year-old boy with PVS caused by severe intracerebral bleeding in the left hemisphere following anticoagulation treatment.The patient’s PVS severity showed no notable improvement after 2-mo neuroprotective treatment and rehabilitation,including nerve growth factor and baclofen,hyperbaric oxygen,and comprehensive bedside rehabilitation therapies.Daily inhalation treatment(4-6 h)of high-concentration hydrogen(H2)gas(66.6%H2+33.3%O2)was provided.Surprisingly,the patient’s orientation,consciousness,ability to speak,facial expressions,and locomotor function were significantly restored,along with improvements in essential general health status,after H2 gas inhalation treatment,which was consistent with stabilized neuropathology in the left hemisphere and increased Hounsfield unit values of computed tomography in the right hemisphere.The patient finally recovered to a near normal conscious state with a Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Score of 22 from his previous score of 3.CONCLUSION Phase 1 clinical trials are needed to explore the safety and efficacy of H2 gas inhalation in patients with PVS.
文摘Virginia Woolf is one of the most prominent novelists of the"stream of conscious"school in English literature. She made many experiments in her novel writing. Among all her novels,Mrs. Dalloway is one of her completely successful experiments in a new form. In this novel,Woolf explored with subtlety the problems of personal identity and their living state. This article will analyze the contradictory living state of the main characters in Mrs. Dalloway,such as Clarrisa Dalloway and Warren Smith Septimus.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31640034)the Sci-Tech Support Plan of Hubei Province, China (2014BEC086)the Research Team Fund of the South-Central University for Nationalities, China (XTZ15014)
文摘Dear Editor Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of brain functions,the neural substrates and correlates of consciousness remain unclear[1].It has been argued that classical physics is intrinsically incapable of explaining the holistic aspects of consciousness.
文摘This paper offers a critical examination of“neurophysicalism”,namely the thesis that phenomenal consciousness is nothing over and above neural states(processes)in the brain,in light of empirical researches on some“altered states of consciousness”(lucid dreaming and mystical experiences).By probing the implication of“neurophysicalism”in the empirical world,it is argued that“neurophysicalism”is committed to the principle of“psycho-neural isomorphism”to the effect that the structural features of any state(process)of phenomenal consciousness are isomorphic to the physical structural features of the corresponding“neural correlate”of that state(process)of consciousness.However,in the case of lucid dreaming and mystical experiences,the principle of“psycho-neural isomorphism”does not hold true,which implies that there is a structural mismatch between the phenomenal structure and the physical structure of the corresponding“neural correlates”.The phenomenal structure of lucid dreaming is characterized by features that are unconstant,bizarre,and uncertain,whereas the“neural correlates”of lucid dreaming possess physical structure that is deterministic(with low entropy).In the case of mystical experiences,although the phenomenal structure is characterized by strong realness and constancy,the physical structure of the corresponding“neural correlates”is chaotic and disordered(with high entropy).The phenomenon of structural mismatch challenges“neurophysicalism”in the empirical world.Some possible objections from“neurophysicalists”are examined,including“neural misrepresentation”,“errors of introspective reports”,and“neural correlates not being detected”,none of which withstands scrutiny.The author concludes by proposing an alternative metaphysics for consciousness that takes the brain to be a“valve”“filtering”and constraining unbound consciousness.
