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Assessment and Communication for People with Disorders of Consciousness
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P3b, consciousness, and complex unconscious processing.

Brian H Silverstein1, Michael Snodgrass1, Howard Shevrin1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior
|October 17, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Complex cognitive processing, including P3b event-related potential (ERP) activity, can occur unconsciously. This challenges the idea that P3b is a reliable neural correlate of consciousness (NCC).

Keywords:
ConsciousnessOddballP3bSubliminal

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience of Consciousness
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically the P3b component, have been proposed as a neural correlate of consciousness (NCC).
  • Current cognitive theories suggest unconscious processes are brief and simple, while conscious processing is complex and sustained.
  • The P3b component is a relatively late ERP, often associated with attention and working memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether the P3b component and subsequent slow wave activity can occur under strictly subliminal conditions.
  • To challenge the prevailing notion that P3b is a definitive neural correlate of consciousness (NCC).
  • To explore the capacity for complex cognitive processing during unconscious states.

Main Methods:

  • A P3b oddball paradigm was employed to elicit ERPs.
  • Stimuli were rigorously controlled to ensure subliminal presentation.
  • Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to differentiate ERP components, including P3a and P3b.

Main Results:

  • P3b activity and later slow wave activity were observed under conditions confirmed to be subliminal.
  • PCA confirmed the presence of both P3a and P3b components, with P3b occurring during subliminal processing.
  • These findings indicate that complex cognitive processing, indexed by P3b, can happen outside of conscious awareness.

Conclusions:

  • The P3b component is not exclusively a neural correlate of consciousness (NCC).
  • Complex and sustained cognitive processing can occur unconsciously.
  • Rethinking the relationship between ERP components and conscious awareness is necessary.