The last decade has seen a renaissance of consciousness studies, witnessed by the growing number of scientific investigations on this topic. The concept of consciousness is central in epileptology, despite the methodological difficulties concerning its application to the multifaced ictal phenomenology. The authors provide an up-to-date review of the neurological literature on the relationship between epilepsy and consciousness and propose a bidimensional model (level vs contents of consciousness) for the description of seizure-induced alterations of conscious states, according to the findings of recent neuroimaging studies. The neurophysiological correlates of ictal loss and impairment of consciousness are also reviewed. Special attention is paid to the subjective experiential states associated with medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Such ictal phenomenal experiences are suggested as a paradigm for a neuroscientific approach to the apparently elusive philosophical concept of qualia. Epilepsy is confirmed to represent a privileged window over basic neurobiological mechanisms of consciousness.

Monaco, F., Mula, M., Cavanna, A. (2005). Consciousness, epilepsy and emotional qualia. EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR, 7(2), 150-160 [10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.05.018].

Consciousness, epilepsy and emotional qualia

Cavanna A
2005

Abstract

The last decade has seen a renaissance of consciousness studies, witnessed by the growing number of scientific investigations on this topic. The concept of consciousness is central in epileptology, despite the methodological difficulties concerning its application to the multifaced ictal phenomenology. The authors provide an up-to-date review of the neurological literature on the relationship between epilepsy and consciousness and propose a bidimensional model (level vs contents of consciousness) for the description of seizure-induced alterations of conscious states, according to the findings of recent neuroimaging studies. The neurophysiological correlates of ictal loss and impairment of consciousness are also reviewed. Special attention is paid to the subjective experiential states associated with medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Such ictal phenomenal experiences are suggested as a paradigm for a neuroscientific approach to the apparently elusive philosophical concept of qualia. Epilepsy is confirmed to represent a privileged window over basic neurobiological mechanisms of consciousness.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Consciousness; Epilepsy; Experiential phenomena; Qualia;
English
2005
7
2
150
160
reserved
Monaco, F., Mula, M., Cavanna, A. (2005). Consciousness, epilepsy and emotional qualia. EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR, 7(2), 150-160 [10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.05.018].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/402198
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