TY - JOUR

T1 - Reorganization of the Connectivity between Elementary Functions

T2 - A Model Relating Conscious States to Neural Connections

AU - Mogensen, Jesper

AU - Overgaard, Morten

PY - 2017/4/20

Y1 - 2017/4/20

N2 - In the present paper it is argued that the “neural correlate of consciousness” (NCC) does not appear to be a separate “module” – but an aspect of information processing within the neural substrate of various cognitive processes. Consequently, NCC can only be addressed adequately within frameworks that model the general relationship between neural processes and mental states – and take into account the dynamic connectivity of the brain. We presently offer the REFGEN (general reorganization of elementary functions) model as such a framework. This model builds upon and expands the REF (reorganization of elementary functions) and REFCON (of elementary functions and consciousness) models. All three models integrate the relationship between the neural and mental layers of description via the construction of an intermediate level dealing with computational states. The importance of experience based organization of neural and cognitive processes is stressed. The models assume that the mechanisms of consciousness are in principle the same as the basic mechanisms of all aspects of cognition – when information is processed to a sufficiently “high level” it becomes available to conscious experience. The NCC is within the REFGEN model seen as aspects of the dynamic and experience driven reorganizations of the synaptic connectivity between the neurocognitive “building blocks” of the model – the elementary functions.

AB - In the present paper it is argued that the “neural correlate of consciousness” (NCC) does not appear to be a separate “module” – but an aspect of information processing within the neural substrate of various cognitive processes. Consequently, NCC can only be addressed adequately within frameworks that model the general relationship between neural processes and mental states – and take into account the dynamic connectivity of the brain. We presently offer the REFGEN (general reorganization of elementary functions) model as such a framework. This model builds upon and expands the REF (reorganization of elementary functions) and REFCON (of elementary functions and consciousness) models. All three models integrate the relationship between the neural and mental layers of description via the construction of an intermediate level dealing with computational states. The importance of experience based organization of neural and cognitive processes is stressed. The models assume that the mechanisms of consciousness are in principle the same as the basic mechanisms of all aspects of cognition – when information is processed to a sufficiently “high level” it becomes available to conscious experience. The NCC is within the REFGEN model seen as aspects of the dynamic and experience driven reorganizations of the synaptic connectivity between the neurocognitive “building blocks” of the model – the elementary functions.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Hjerne

KW - Bevidsthed

KW - Hjerneskade

KW - Model

KW - Neurokognitiv orgnisering

KW - REF model

KW - REFCON-modellen

KW - REFGEN-modellen

KW - Plasticitet

KW - synapse

KW - neural computation

KW - neural organisation

KW - Hjerne

KW - Bevidsthed

KW - neural organisation

KW - REF-modellen

KW - REFCON-modellen

KW - REFGEN-modellen

KW - Plasticitet

KW - Hjerneskade

KW - Rehabilitering

KW - Neurorehabilitering

KW - Neurokognitiv organisering

KW - neural correlate of consciousness (NCC)

KW - consciousness

KW - neural connections

KW - cognition

KW - mental states

KW - neural states

KW - computational states

KW - integrative models

U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00625

DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00625

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28473797

VL - 8

SP - 1

EP - 21

JO - Frontiers in Psychology

JF - Frontiers in Psychology

SN - 1664-1078

M1 - 625

ER -