Latest

consciousness

·June 3, 2021·4 min read

Neuroscience Doesn’t Undermine Free Will After All

A new study brings into question conventional theories of the neuroscience of free will. Researchers found readiness potential reflects neural activity that underlies the formation of a decision to move, rather than the outcome to move.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 29, 2021·4 min read

Escape From Oblivion: How the Brain Reboots After Deep Anesthesia

Following deep anesthesia, consciousness and cognitive processes unfold over time. The prefrontal cortex is the first brain area to recover, with areas associated with reaction time and attention taking longer to return to pre-anesthesia states.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Visual Neuroscience

·May 28, 2021·3 min read

Evidence for New Type of Memory

New research indicates the existence of an unconscious iconic memory store that supports predictions made by the global workspace theory of consciousness. It also shows that visual masking does not erase memory traces of masked stimuli but only limits conscious access.

This shows an anesthesiologist taking care of a patient while under anesthetic

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 7, 2021·7 min read

Algorithms Show Accuracy in Gauging Unconsciousness Under General Anesthesia

A newly developed artificial intelligence algorithm can accurately and reliably assess unconsciousness in patients under anesthesia based on brain activity.

This shows a brain and a finger with lightening coming out of it

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 4, 2021·4 min read

The Gateway to Conscious Awareness

The anterior insular cortex appears to be a gate to conscious awareness, researchers conclude.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 27, 2021·5 min read

Anesthesia Doesn’t Simply Turn Off the Brain, It Changes Its Rhythms

Propofol, the commonly used anesthetic, alters and controls the dynamics of the brain's rhythms. The findings can help doctors better monitor patients under anesthesia with the aid of EEG.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 26, 2021·4 min read

Heartbeat Can Help Detect Signs of Consciousness in Patients After a Coma

Heartbeat evoked potential provides evidence of the presence of consciousness in coma patients, a new study reveals.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 27, 2021·5 min read

Psychedelic Drugs: How the Brains of Informed Users Are Different

While the effects of hallucinogens to treat mental illnesses are being researched, little is known about the neurobiology of those who dabble in psychedelics for recreational purposes. A new study reports "psychonauts" have distinct behaviors, including taking a scientific approach to documenting their experience with hallucinogens, compared to more recreational users.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 26, 2021·3 min read

Hypnosis Changes the Way Our Brain Processes Information

Under hypnosis, the brain shifts to a state where individual areas act more independently of each other than they do during typical waking state.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 16, 2021·5 min read

A Better Way to Measure Consciousness

Researchers recorded the electrical activity in over 1000 neurons around 100 sites of the brain during different states of consciousness in monkeys. The results were analyzed by machine learning. Results pointed away from the prefrontal cortex, an area monitored to safely maintain general anesthesia, and toward areas at the back of the brain. The study reveals deep brain and areas toward the back of the brain are more predictive of states of consciousness.

This shows a young girl looking out of a window daydreaming

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 6, 2021·5 min read

Why We’re So Bad at Daydreaming, and How to Fix It

When people were presented with a list of scenarios that were meaningful or enjoyable, they enjoyed thinking 50% more than when they were instructed to think about whatever they wanted.