"The phenomenon of human consciousness is accompanied by an increase in oscillatory activity and neuronal synchronization in the brain, but this does not mean that it can be reduced to these neurological manifestations. Brain rhythms are necessary for consciousness, but they are not sufficient to explain it". This was stated by Julio Artieda, director of the area of Neurosciences of the research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) and of the Neurophysiology Service of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, on the occasion of a seminar organized by the group of research 'Science, Reason and Faith'.

Dr. Artieda pointed out that at present "it is particularly important to study the brain as a complex system and, in particular, the topology of the neuronal networks that are formed depending on the brain activity in question".

According to him, "progress is being made in understanding the neural instructions of consciousness, but we are still far from a scientific understanding of all its mechanisms".

Perceptual awareness

The Clinic expert explained that oscillatory activity "is a basic mechanism of brain functioning that allows the integration of stimuli perceived by different sensory pathways". Thus, he emphasized that "it enables the synchronization between neuronal groups of the same cortical area or of different distant areas involved in a motor action, cognitive or perceptual task".

With respect to perceptual awareness, he emphasized that "the conscious person is capable of generating oscillatory neuronal activity when waiting for a given stimulus". In the process of human perception," he added, "the presence of a stimulus that provokes a chain of 'bottom-up' processes is not enough. Equally important are the 'top-down' processes, given by accumulated experience, which set the context for the subject of perception that is being awaited."