Summary
The search for the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) remains a core focus of the neuroscience of consciousness. State-NCC, defining the neural mechanisms underlying global, non-specific-states of consciousness, have been traditionally investigated by means of contrastive paradigms centered around physiological (e.g. sleep), pharmacological (e.g. anesthesia) and pathological (e.g. disorders of consciousness) states of consciousness. More recently, within-state paradigms have also been proposed.
In this tutorial, we will feature didactical talks from an interdisciplinary team of experts, followed by a collective debate session. In the talks, we will first introduce the concept of global states of consciousness and provide a rationale for their study. Secondly, we will delve into study designs and experimental paradigms suitable for investigations based on sleep, anesthesia and disorders of consciousness. Opportunities and challenges associated with the study of each class of states of consciousness will be critically discussed. In the debate, we will discuss with all speakers about synergistically integrating findings from -physiologically and phenomenologically- different states of consciousness and about the possibility to bridge the gap between the often-segregated fields of states vs. contents of consciousness.
List of talks:
- Global states of consciousness: conception and misconceptions, Andy McKilliam
- Why global states of consciousness matter? Understanding the neural mechanisms of conscious contents, Georg Northoff
- Sleep, anesthesia and disorders of consciousness: a comparative introduction, Benedetta Cecconi
- Capturing neural signatures of consciousness in sleep, Francesca Siclari
- Capturing neural signatures of consciousness in anesthesia, Anthony Hudetz
- Capturing neural signatures of consciousness in disorders of consciousness, Melanie Boly
Rationale on speaker selection and proof of their expertise
The speakers are recognized experts in the field of consciousness research. Each speaker is a lead author in several experimental and/or philosophical works published in peer-reviewed journals and tackling specifically the topic of their talk.
Desired educational expectations
By the end of this tutorial, participants will gain a robust understanding of advantages and limitations of investigating the neural correlates of consciousness based on different global states of consciousness, namely sleep, anesthesia and disorders of consciousness. They will also learn about best practices (study designs, choice of experimental paradigms) and open questions in state-based investigations.
With the debate session, they will learn to critically posit findings on physiological, pharmacological and pathological states of consciousness into the broader framework of the neuroscience of consciousness.
Proposed audience engagement
The audience will be encouraged to actively participate throughout the tutorial and extensively during the debate session. While the start of the debate session will be structured to revolve around three key questions (see below), the participants will be strongly encouraged to push the discussion forward with thought-provoking comments and questions. The audience will be given a chance to either interact directly with the panel of speakers or to ask questions anonymously on an accessible online platform (e.g. Slido), which also allows to democratically upvote questions of interest.
Hands-out materials for each talk will be made freely available at the end of the tutorial.
Planned structure
The tutorial will be organized in two parts, with a series of talks (2 hours) followed by an interactive debate (1 hour).
The talks (2 hours) will:
(1) introduce the concept of global states of consciousness
(2) provide a rationale for studying global states of consciousness
(3) explain how we can (and should) design studies and experimental paradigms revolving around the different states of consciousness (sleep, anesthesia, disorders of consciousness) and how these can inform the science of consciousness.
The debate (1 hour), with all speakers, will revolve around fundamental questions, such as:
(1) can we identify a unique set of neural correlates of consciousness starting from the study of physiologically and possibly phenomenologically different states of consciousness?
(2) how can we integrate findings from different states of consciousness?
(3) how can we integrate research on global states of consciousness and on conscious content?
Rationale on panel inclusivity
The tutorial aims to bring together leaders across different disciplines (philosophy, neuroscience, neurology, anesthesiology), countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, USA, Taiwan), and career stages (senior: Boly, Hudetz, Northoff, Siclari, mid-career: Sala, early: Cecconi, Mckilliam) to foster a dynamic discussion with conference attendees. The gender ratio across presenters and chairs is 3 men to 4 women
