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1: Neuron. 2006 Apr 20;50(2):329-39.Click here to read Links

When the brain loses its self: prefrontal inactivation during sensorimotor processing.

Goldberg II, Harel M, Malach R.

Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

A common theme in theories of subjective awareness poses a self-related "observer" function, or a homunculus, as a critical element without which awareness can not emerge. Here, we examined this question using fMRI. In our study, we compared brain activity patterns produced by a demanding sensory categorization paradigm to those engaged during self-reflective introspection, using similar sensory stimuli. Our results show a complete segregation between the two patterns of activity. Furthermore, regions that showed enhanced activity during introspection underwent a robust inhibition during the demanding perceptual task. The results support the notion that self-related processes are not necessarily engaged during sensory perception and can be actually suppressed.

PMID: 16630842 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]