Cited by 671Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesNeural dynamics and brain functionAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications

Signature of consciousness in the dynamics of resting-state brain activity

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Barttfeld, Pablo, Uhrig, Lynn, Sitt, Jacobo D., Sigman, Mariano, Jarraya, Béchir, Dehaene, Stanislas·2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Significance: What are the origins of resting-state functional connectivity patterns? One dominating view is that they index ongoing cognitive processes. However, this conclusion is in conflict with studies showing that long-range functional connectivity persists after loss of consciousness, possibly reflecting structural connectivity maps. In this work we respond to this question showing that in fact both sources have a clear and separable contribution to resting-state patterns. We show that under anesthesia, the dominating functional configurations have low information capacity and lack negative correlations. Importantly, they are rigid, tied to the anatomical map. Conversely, wakefulness is characterized by the dynamical exploration of a rich, flexible repertoire of functional configurations. These dynamical properties constitute a signature of consciousness.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1418031112

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  • Simulations indicate that even without stimulation the GNW has continuous stochastic spontaneous activity, which matches the fluctuating fMRI and EEG functional connectivity seen in awake resting brains and its disappearance under anesthesia or in disorders of consciousness.

    “simulations show that the GNW is subject to a continuous stream of stochastic spontaneous activity”

    From Conscious Processing and the Global Neuronal Workspace Hypothesis (2020) · cites this paper as Barttfeld et al., 2015

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  • Recent work in non-human primates demonstrates that functional relationships between critical GNW nodes-prefrontal, posterior parietal, and cingulate cortices-are stereotypically altered during propofol, sevoflurane, and ketamine anesthesia.

    “Recent work in non-human primates demonstrates that the functional relationships between critical nodes in the GNW—such as prefrontal, posterior parietal, and cingulate cortices—are stereotypically altered during propofol, sevoflurane, and ketamine anesthesia (Barttfeld et al., 2015; Uhrig et al., 2018).”

    From Conscious Processing and the Global Neuronal Workspace Hypothesis (2020) · cites this paper as Barttfeld et al., 2015

    The Results (page unavailable) report altered functional correlations in macaques under propofol sedation, including connections involving prefrontal and cingulate regions. The Propofol Anesthesia methods (page unavailable) describe only propofol conditions; this source does not establish the claimed alterations during sevoflurane or ketamine anesthesia. The other citation in the sentence is not assessed here. (LLM, conf=0.89)

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  • This dynamic signature of conscious processing was initially discovered in fMRI studies of awake versus anesthetized monkeys and later found to generalize to humans in vegetative or minimally conscious states.

    “This dynamic signature of conscious processing was initially discovered in fMRI studies of awake versus anesthetized monkeys (Barttfeld et al., 2015) and later found to generalize to humans in vegetative or minimally conscious states (Demertzi et al., 2019).”

    From Conscious Processing and the Global Neuronal Workspace Hypothesis (2020) · cites this paper as Barttfeld et al., 2015

  • Modulating the depth of anesthesia correlates with changes in BOLD variability and reduces the overall connectivity strength.

    “As previously demonstrated in rats (Bettinardi et al. 2015) and monkeys (Barttfeld et al. 2015), modulating the depth of anesthesia correlates with changes in BOLD variability and reduces the overall connectivity strength.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. [58]58. Vincent JL, et al. (2007) Intrinsic functional architecture in the anaesthetized monkey brain. Nature 447(7140):83-86.
  2. [64]64. Vanduffel W, et al. (2001) Visual motion processing investigated using contrast agent- enhanced fMRI in awake behaving monkeys. Neuron 32(4):565-577.
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Authors
Barttfeld, P., Uhrig, L., Sitt, J. D., Sigman, M., Jarraya, B., & Dehaene, S.
Affiliations
  • Inserm (FR)
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (AR)
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2015-01-05
Volume
112
Issue
3
Pages
887-892
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2094377986
Cited by
670
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 72 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 69 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 53 · 2018: 65 · 2017: 57 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 33
FWCI
42.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CONICET Digital (CONICET) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Funders
  • James S. McDonnell Foundation
  • Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
  • Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
  • Fondation Roger de Spoelberch
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
Keywords
consciousness, resting-state brain activity, anesthesia, structural connectivity, small-world property, negative correlation, long-range correlations, wakefulness, monkeys
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Brain Mapping, Consciousness, Macaca mulatta, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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