The early but not the late neural correlate of auditory awareness reflects lateralized experiences. (30th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eklund, Rasmus; Gerdfeldter, Billy; Wiens, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychologia. Volume 158(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-30
• Subjects: Auditory -- Consciousness -- Auditory awareness negativity -- Late positivity -- Lateralization; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.107910
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3932

Abstract

Abstract: Theories disagree as to whether it is the early or the late neural correlate of awareness that plays a critical role in phenomenal awareness. According to recurrent processing theory, early activity in primary sensory areas corresponds closely to phenomenal awareness. In support, research with electroencephalography found that in the visual and somatosensory modality, an early neural correlate of awareness is contralateral to the perceived side of stimulation. Thus, early activity is sensitive to the perceived side of visual and somatosensory stimulation. Critically, it is unresolved whether this is true also for hearing. In the present study ( N = 26 students), Bayesian analyses showed that the early neural correlate of awareness (auditory awareness negativity, AAN) was stronger for contralateral than ipsilateral electrodes whereas the late correlate of auditory awareness (late positivity, LP) was not lateralized. These findings demonstrate that the early but not the late neural correlate of auditory awareness reflects lateralized experiences. Thus, these findings imply that AAN is a more suitable NCC than LP because it correlates more closely with lateralized experiences. Highlights: Role of early and late neural correlates of consciousness is debated. In hearing, unresolved whether these correlates match lateralized experiences. Early and late correlates to lateralized clicks were measured with EEG. Only the early correlate was lateralized. Early and late correlates capture separate aspects of consciousness.