"In a review of over a century of scientific research, neuroscientist Dr Peter Coppola examined stimulation studies, animal experiments, and neurological case reports. Based on this wide-ranging evidence, Dr Coppola argues that consciousness might arise from our ancient 'lizard brain'. If true, that would mean that consciousness is not such a uniquely human trait as scientists had once thought."
"The human brain is a little like a Russian nesting doll, with the parts that evolved most recently on the outside and the older, more basic parts nestled towards the centre. The recently evolved outermost part of the brain is known as the cortex, which is responsible for complex tasks like memory, thinking, learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. Meanwhile, the inner region, known as the sub-cortex, hasn't changed much in over 500 million years of evolution."
Longstanding belief holds that human consciousness emerges from the most recently evolved cortical regions, especially the neocortex. A comprehensive review of over a century of studies including stimulation experiments, animal research, and neurological case reports finds evidence that ancient subcortical structures may be sufficient to generate basic conscious experience. The subcortex controls primal impulses and sensations such as hunger, thirst, pain, pleasure, and fear and has remained largely unchanged for over 500 million years. If subcortical structures can support consciousness, conscious experience may be more widespread across species and should inform patient care and ethical considerations.
Read at Mail Online
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