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Articles, Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive

Returning from Oblivion: Imaging the Neural Core of Consciousness

Jaakko W. Långsjö, Michael T. Alkire, Kimmo Kaskinoro, Hiroki Hayama, Anu Maksimow, Kaike K. Kaisti, Sargo Aalto, Riku Aantaa, Satu K. Jääskeläinen, Antti Revonsuo and Harry Scheinin
Journal of Neuroscience 4 April 2012, 32 (14) 4935-4943; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4962-11.2012
Jaakko W. Långsjö
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Michael T. Alkire
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Kimmo Kaskinoro
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Hiroki Hayama
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Anu Maksimow
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Kaike K. Kaisti
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Sargo Aalto
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Riku Aantaa
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Satu K. Jääskeläinen
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Antti Revonsuo
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Jump to comment:

  • Near death experiences
    Ali H Bardy
    Submitted on: 04 June 2012
  • vasovagal syncope
    joel c. bernard
    Submitted on: 09 April 2012
  • Submitted on: (4 June 2012)
    Page navigation anchor for Near death experiences
    Near death experiences
    • Ali H Bardy, neurologist

    In the discussion of their article on near death experiences (NDE) van Lommel et al (2001) write that ".. with lack of evidence for any other theories for NDE, the thus far assumed, but never proven, concept that consciousness and memories are localized in the brain should be discussed. How could a clear consciousness outside one's body be experienced at the moment that the brain no longer functions during a period of clin...

    Show More

    In the discussion of their article on near death experiences (NDE) van Lommel et al (2001) write that ".. with lack of evidence for any other theories for NDE, the thus far assumed, but never proven, concept that consciousness and memories are localized in the brain should be discussed. How could a clear consciousness outside one's body be experienced at the moment that the brain no longer functions during a period of clinical death with flat EEG?"

    The excellent study by Langsjo and others provides a physiological. explanation. Flat cortical EEG does not indicate loss of brain function. This supports my comment (Bardy 2002) to the article by van Lommel et al. (2001). There is no need to assume that consciousness is not localised in the brain. Spiritual and parapsychological explanations are unnecessary.

    References

    van Lommel P, van Wees R, Meyers V, Elfferich I (2001) Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands. Lancet 358: 2039-2045.

    Bardy AH (2002) Near death experiences. Lancet 359: 2116.

    Conflict of Interest:

    None

    Show Less
    Competing Interests: None declared.
  • Submitted on: (9 April 2012)
    Page navigation anchor for vasovagal syncope
    vasovagal syncope
    • joel c. bernard, writer

    Similar results might be obtained from study of persons with vasovagal syncope (vvs). (I have very occasional episodes of vvs associated with swallowing.)

    The initial feeling of awakening after vvs is almost indescribable, and different from the feeling of awakening from sleep. The first stage is an extraordinary feeling of well-being, almost of euphoria, quickly followed by the return of normal consciousness. I...

    Show More

    Similar results might be obtained from study of persons with vasovagal syncope (vvs). (I have very occasional episodes of vvs associated with swallowing.)

    The initial feeling of awakening after vvs is almost indescribable, and different from the feeling of awakening from sleep. The first stage is an extraordinary feeling of well-being, almost of euphoria, quickly followed by the return of normal consciousness. I have wondered whether the euphoric feeling is caused by the initial return of blood flow to the more primitive centers of the brain, before returning to the cortex.

    I'm not a scientist, and know nothing about brain physiology. ...

    Conflict of Interest:

    None declared

    Show Less
    Competing Interests: None declared.
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The Journal of Neuroscience: 32 (14)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 32, Issue 14
4 Apr 2012
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Returning from Oblivion: Imaging the Neural Core of Consciousness
Jaakko W. Långsjö, Michael T. Alkire, Kimmo Kaskinoro, Hiroki Hayama, Anu Maksimow, Kaike K. Kaisti, Sargo Aalto, Riku Aantaa, Satu K. Jääskeläinen, Antti Revonsuo, Harry Scheinin
Journal of Neuroscience 4 April 2012, 32 (14) 4935-4943; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4962-11.2012

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Returning from Oblivion: Imaging the Neural Core of Consciousness
Jaakko W. Långsjö, Michael T. Alkire, Kimmo Kaskinoro, Hiroki Hayama, Anu Maksimow, Kaike K. Kaisti, Sargo Aalto, Riku Aantaa, Satu K. Jääskeläinen, Antti Revonsuo, Harry Scheinin
Journal of Neuroscience 4 April 2012, 32 (14) 4935-4943; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4962-11.2012
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Respond to this article

Jump to comment:

  • Near death experiences
    Ali H Bardy
    Published on: 04 June 2012
  • vasovagal syncope
    joel c. bernard
    Published on: 09 April 2012
  • Published on: (4 June 2012)
    Page navigation anchor for Near death experiences
    Near death experiences
    • Ali H Bardy, neurologist

    In the discussion of their article on near death experiences (NDE) van Lommel et al (2001) write that ".. with lack of evidence for any other theories for NDE, the thus far assumed, but never proven, concept that consciousness and memories are localized in the brain should be discussed. How could a clear consciousness outside one's body be experienced at the moment that the brain no longer functions during a period of clin...

    Show More

    In the discussion of their article on near death experiences (NDE) van Lommel et al (2001) write that ".. with lack of evidence for any other theories for NDE, the thus far assumed, but never proven, concept that consciousness and memories are localized in the brain should be discussed. How could a clear consciousness outside one's body be experienced at the moment that the brain no longer functions during a period of clinical death with flat EEG?"

    The excellent study by Langsjo and others provides a physiological. explanation. Flat cortical EEG does not indicate loss of brain function. This supports my comment (Bardy 2002) to the article by van Lommel et al. (2001). There is no need to assume that consciousness is not localised in the brain. Spiritual and parapsychological explanations are unnecessary.

    References

    van Lommel P, van Wees R, Meyers V, Elfferich I (2001) Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands. Lancet 358: 2039-2045.

    Bardy AH (2002) Near death experiences. Lancet 359: 2116.

    Conflict of Interest:

    None

    Show Less
    Competing Interests: None declared.
  • Published on: (9 April 2012)
    Page navigation anchor for vasovagal syncope
    vasovagal syncope
    • joel c. bernard, writer

    Similar results might be obtained from study of persons with vasovagal syncope (vvs). (I have very occasional episodes of vvs associated with swallowing.)

    The initial feeling of awakening after vvs is almost indescribable, and different from the feeling of awakening from sleep. The first stage is an extraordinary feeling of well-being, almost of euphoria, quickly followed by the return of normal consciousness. I...

    Show More

    Similar results might be obtained from study of persons with vasovagal syncope (vvs). (I have very occasional episodes of vvs associated with swallowing.)

    The initial feeling of awakening after vvs is almost indescribable, and different from the feeling of awakening from sleep. The first stage is an extraordinary feeling of well-being, almost of euphoria, quickly followed by the return of normal consciousness. I have wondered whether the euphoric feeling is caused by the initial return of blood flow to the more primitive centers of the brain, before returning to the cortex.

    I'm not a scientist, and know nothing about brain physiology. ...

    Conflict of Interest:

    None declared

    Show Less
    Competing Interests: None declared.

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