Markers of consciousness in infants: Towards a 'cluster-based' approach
Joel Frohlich1,2, Tim Bayne3,4,5
1IDM/fMEG Center of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Insights
Infant consciousness is a growing scientific concern. Researchers propose a cluster-based approach using multiple markers to demonstrate consciousness in infants by 5 months of age, or possibly earlier.
Area of Science:
- Developmental neuroscience
- Cognitive science
- Pediatric medicine
Background:
- Historical practices in pediatric surgery highlight evolving views on infant pain and consciousness.
- Modern science increasingly emphasizes the importance of understanding consciousness, even in early infancy.
- Challenges exist in assessing infant consciousness due to the inability of infants to provide verbal reports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the possibility of consciousness in early human infancy.
- To review and evaluate potential markers for assessing infant consciousness.
- To propose a novel methodology for demonstrating early consciousness.
Main Methods:
- Review of validated behavioral and neural markers of consciousness in adults.
- Adaptation and evaluation of these markers for application in non-verbal infants.
- Development of a 'cluster-based' approach integrating multiple markers to infer consciousness.
Main Results:
- No single marker is currently sufficient to confidently demonstrate infant consciousness.
- The 'cluster-based' approach offers a potential solution by seeking consensus across multiple indicators.
- Evidence suggests consciousness may be present by 5 months of age or earlier.
Conclusions:
- Consciousness in human infants is a plausible and increasingly studied phenomenon.
- A consensus of evidence from multiple markers is crucial for demonstrating early consciousness.
- Infant consciousness is likely established by 5 months of age, if not sooner.
Abstract:
As recently as the 1980s, it was not uncommon for paediatric surgeons to operate on infants without anaesthesia. Today, the same omission would be considered criminal malpractice, and there is an increased concern with the possibility of consciousness in the earliest stage of human infancy. This concern reflects a more general trend that has characterised science since the early 1990s of taking consciousness seriously. While this attitude shift has opened minds towards the possibility that our earliest experiences predate our first memories, convincing demonstrations of infant consciousness remain challenging given that infants cannot report on their experiences. Furthermore, while many behavioural and neural markers of consciousness that do not rely on language have been validated in adults, no one specific marker can be confidently translated to infancy. For this reason, we have proposed the 'cluster-based' approach, in which a consensus of evidence across many markers, all pointing towards the same developmental period, could be used to argue convincingly for the presence of consciousness. CONCLUSION: We review the most promising markers for early consciousness, arguing that consciousness is likely to be in place by 5 months of age if not earlier.
