Consciousness has the following synonyms- alertness, cognizance, awareness, concern, sensibility,
recognition, realization, mindfulness, carefulness and regard. In a music video, by Anyma and Chris
Avantgardem it is described as sentience of internal, external or virtual existence. In brief, consciousness
is everything you experience.
The origin and nature of consciousness have been a mystery for a long time. The means to study the
consciousness remain an Engineering NO-GO. The measurement of consciousness remains a subjective
and an allusive unit.
Most people accept consciousness as a given. The scientists look for its physical footprint. Which priced
subunit of the complex grey and white brain matter gives rise to consciousness? Are there any specific
‘consciousness’ neuron? Where are they located? How are they influenced by other neurons, their
neurotransmitters and the milieu? ‘Neuronal correlates of consciousness’ are defined as minimal
neuronal mechanisms jointly sufficient for any specific conscious experience. These need to be explored
further. Does this neuronal correlate of consciousness need a specific and limited location? Or does it
need the complex correlation of the entire complex brain circuitry?
Traditionally, different parts of the brain and the nervous system have a specific purpose. The complete
and orderly functioning of the nervous system needs these pats and their functions to be closely
correlated. Loss of these functions, however, causes different symptoms. The damage to the spinal cord
can cause loss of bowel and bladder control and t he loss of sensation and function of limbs. These
patients may wet their beds and even soil themselves and not realize the same. Damage to the ‘little
brain’- cerebellum- loses the ability to move fluidly ad do the things in order. A patient with brain stroke
may lose control and sensation of a part of their body. They may even forget that they have some parts
of the body. The patients with different forms of dementia lose their memory, their interests, and their
choices, lose social care. And yet they can communicate, tell their names, perform other activities
needed with daily living. In short, all functions other than those lost, are performed.
The antonyms include arrogance, negligence, carelessness, thoughtlessness, disregard, senselessness,
inattention, neglect and above all unconsciousness. As depicted in the above examples, the patient
shows neglect (e.g. when the patients forget that they have limbs and body parts in stroke, they may
have inattention, social disregard, thoughtlessness (e.g. as and when they lose their cognitive functions
in dementia), loss of sense of bowel, bladder, and limbs (e.g. a person may by lying comfortably
paralyzed with both limbs soiled in their stools and urine and covered with ants in spinal cord disorder).
In a way, these people are not conscious about themselves and/or their surroundings. They are unaware
of their body parts, body milieu, or surroundings. Yet they can perform other activities, e.g eat, look,
talk, and give other responses. And hence, are not really conscious.
Which brings us back to the question- where lives the genie of consciousness? Does it inhabit the space
within the lamp? Or does it embody the lamp itself, thereby making each part of the lamp a part of the
genie? Does it matter that the lamp be whole and intricately connected?
The brain is like a pastry. The bread of the pastry forms the white matter while the cream forms the grey
matter. The totty fruity in the bread resembles the grey matter isles of the brain like the thalamus and
the basal ganglia. The total grey matter is like a thin crust pizza with 6 layers of toppings. It is this 6
cheese pizza that may form the substrate for consciousness, in part or in entirety.
Now this neocortex is the most recently evolved part of the brain. The neuronal correlates of
consciousness have recently been postulated to be in the neural connections of the parietal, temporal,
and occipital zone. Frontal lobe has also been known to be involved in consciousness and perception.
Their complex interconnected connections is essential to have separate auditory, visual and other
sensory perceptions and their ability to form the cause and effect relationship is thus the seat of
consciousness.
However, the part of ‘animalia’ kingdom that doesn’t have a neocortex still shows self-preservation. Is
not self preservation a complex of consciousness? Some of them even have an ‘attack’ mechanism. Do
they attack without consciousness and purpose? If so, neocortex cannot be a necessity of consciousness.
Intelligence probably. But not consciousness.
By- Dr Saumya Harsh Mittal
Sr Consultant Neurologist
Yatharth Superspeciality Hospital, Omega 1, Greater Noida
Dr Mittal’s Mediclinic, SK 24 A, Sector 110 , Noida
9663414840
