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Functional geometry of the cortex encodes dimensions of consciousness

Author

Listed:
  • Zirui Huang

    (University of Michigan Medical School
    University of Michigan Medical School)

  • George A. Mashour

    (University of Michigan Medical School
    University of Michigan Medical School
    University of Michigan
    University of Michigan Medical School)

  • Anthony G. Hudetz

    (University of Michigan Medical School
    University of Michigan Medical School
    University of Michigan)

Abstract

Consciousness is a multidimensional phenomenon, but key dimensions such as awareness and wakefulness have been described conceptually rather than neurobiologically. We hypothesize that dimensions of consciousness are encoded in multiple neurofunctional dimensions of the brain. We analyze cortical gradients, which are continua of the brain’s overarching functional geometry, to characterize these neurofunctional dimensions. We demonstrate that disruptions of human consciousness – due to pharmacological, neuropathological, or psychiatric causes – are associated with a degradation of one or more of the major cortical gradients depending on the state. Network-specific reconfigurations within the multidimensional cortical gradient space are associated with behavioral unresponsiveness of various etiologies, and these spatial reconfigurations correlate with a temporal disruption of structured transitions of dynamic brain states. In this work, we therefore provide a unifying neurofunctional framework for multiple dimensions of human consciousness in both health and disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Zirui Huang & George A. Mashour & Anthony G. Hudetz, 2023. "Functional geometry of the cortex encodes dimensions of consciousness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35764-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35764-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Seok-Jun Hong & Reinder Vos de Wael & Richard A. I. Bethlehem & Sara Lariviere & Casey Paquola & Sofie L. Valk & Michael P. Milham & Adriana Di Martino & Daniel S. Margulies & Jonathan Smallwood & Bor, 2019. "Atypical functional connectome hierarchy in autism," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hyunwoo Jang & George A. Mashour & Anthony G. Hudetz & Zirui Huang, 2024. "Measuring the dynamic balance of integration and segregation underlying consciousness, anesthesia, and sleep in humans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Zirui Huang & George A. Mashour & Anthony G. Hudetz, 2024. "Propofol disrupts the functional core-matrix architecture of the thalamus in humans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Andrea I. Luppi & Lynn Uhrig & Jordy Tasserie & Camilo M. Signorelli & Emmanuel A. Stamatakis & Alain Destexhe & Bechir Jarraya & Rodrigo Cofre, 2024. "Local orchestration of distributed functional patterns supporting loss and restoration of consciousness in the primate brain," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, December.

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