When the Brain Loses Its Self: Prefrontal Inactivation during Sensorimotor Processing
NeuronPublished 1 April 2006Open access
Ilan Goldberg, Michal Harel, Rafael Malach
Citations599
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score6.75
SNIP2.95
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TL;DR
The results support the notion that self-related processes are not necessarily engaged during sensory perception and can be actually suppressed, and show a complete segregation between the two patterns of activity.
Abstract
A common theme in theories of subjective awareness poses a self-related "observer" function, or a homunculus, as a critical element without which awareness can not emerge. Here, we examined this question using fMRI. In our study, we compared brain activity patterns produced by a demanding sensory categorization paradigm to those engaged during self-reflective introspection, using similar sensory stimuli. Our results show a complete segregation between the two patterns of activity. Furthermore, regions that showed enhanced activity during introspection underwent a robust inhibition during the demanding perceptual task. The results support the notion that self-related processes are not necessarily engaged during sensory perception and can be actually suppressed.
Keywords
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