Nathan Faivre1, Roy Salomon, Olaf Blanke. 1. aLaboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Brain Mind Institute bCenter for Neuroprosthetics, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne cDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland *Nathan Faivre and Roy Salomon contributed equally to the writing of this article.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, consciousness has become a central topic in cognitive neuroscience. This review focuses on the relation between bodily self-consciousness - the feeling of being a subject in a body - and visual consciousness - the subjective experience associated with the perception of visual signals. RECENT FINDINGS: Findings from clinical and experimental work have shown that bodily self-consciousness depends on specific brain networks and is related to the integration of signals from multiple sensory modalities including vision. In addition, recent experiments have shown that visual consciousness is shaped by the body, including vestibular, tactile, proprioceptive, and motor signals. SUMMARY: Several lines of evidence suggest reciprocal relationships between vision and bodily signals, indicating that a comprehensive understanding of visual and bodily self-consciousness requires studying them in unison.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, consciousness has become a central topic in cognitive neuroscience. This review focuses on the relation between bodily self-consciousness - the feeling of being a subject in a body - and visual consciousness - the subjective experience associated with the perception of visual signals. RECENT FINDINGS: Findings from clinical and experimental work have shown that bodily self-consciousness depends on specific brain networks and is related to the integration of signals from multiple sensory modalities including vision. In addition, recent experiments have shown that visual consciousness is shaped by the body, including vestibular, tactile, proprioceptive, and motor signals. SUMMARY: Several lines of evidence suggest reciprocal relationships between vision and bodily signals, indicating that a comprehensive understanding of visual and bodily self-consciousness requires studying them in unison.