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Cited by 45Neural dynamics and brain functionFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesPhilosophy and Theoretical Science

Criticality as a determinant of integrated information Φ in human brain networks

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Kim, Hyoungkyu, Lee, UnCheol·2019·Entropy
DOI 10.3390/e21100981PMC PMC7514311

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Abstract

Integrated information theory (IIT) describes consciousness as information integrated across highly differentiated but irreducible constituent parts in a system. However, in a complex dynamic system such as the brain, the optimal conditions for large integrated information systems have not been elucidated. In this study, we hypothesized that network criticality, a balanced state between a large variation in functional network configuration and a large constraint on structural network configuration, may be the basis of the emergence of a large Φ, a surrogate of integrated information. We also hypothesized that as consciousness diminishes, the brain loses network criticality and Φ decreases. We tested these hypotheses with a large-scale brain network model and high-density electroencephalography (EEG) acquired during various levels of human consciousness under general anesthesia. In the modeling study, maximal criticality coincided with maximal Φ. The EEG study demonstrated an explicit relationship between Φ, criticality, and level of consciousness. The conscious resting state showed the largest Φ and criticality, whereas the balance between variation and constraint in the brain network broke down as the response rate dwindled. The results suggest network criticality as a necessary condition of a large Φ in the human brain.

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  • Some surrogate measures of Φ have been successfully applied to altered levels of consciousness in humans and relate to network factors such as topological modularity or critical dynamics.

    “Furthermore, some surrogate measures of Φ have been successfully applied to altered levels of consciousness in humans (Kim et al., 2018) and also shown to relate to network factors such as topological modularity (Kim et al., 2018) or critical dynamics (Kim and Lee, 2019).”

    From Conscious Processing and the Global Neuronal Workspace Hypothesis (2020) · cites this paper as Kim and Lee, 2019

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Kim, H., & Lee, U.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Lee, UnCheol
ORCID
Kim, Hyoungkyu
Venue
Entropy
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2019-10-08
Volume
21
Issue
10
Pages
981
ISSN
1099-4300 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/e21100981
PMC
PMC7514311
OpenAlex
W2980277777
Cited by
45
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2
FWCI
2.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Entropy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (R01 GM098578)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Keywords
integrated information theory, network criticality, consciousness, level of consciousness, general anesthesia, brain networks, EEG, resting state, network models

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