models of consciousness & implications

Models of consciousness and clinical implications
Lorentz Center(@Oort), Leiden University, The Netherlands, April 2-6, 2013

Scientific case
Phenomenal consciousness appears to be continuous and unified, while theory and experiments suggest that the brain acts in a discrete and distributed manner. Therefore temporal and spatial coordination seems necessary for consciousness’ apparent continuity and unity. Impairment of this coordination may underlie several clinical conditions. Subjectively it seems to result in loss of agency and identity; this favours existential fears, clinical symptoms, and dysfunctional coping reactions. Recent studies suggest that the—not yet fully understood—cultivation of mindfulness, i.e. non-judgemental attention to present moment experience (meta-awareness), has a salutary influence on such dysfunctional effects. The workshop / mini-sabbatical will explore these issues from multiple perspectives, towards deeper understanding and fundamental questions.

Aim
The interdiciplinary workshop involves models of consciousness, brain states, and clinical conditions, aiming at an increased mutual understanding between cognitive neuroscientists, neurophysiologists, and psychologists/psychiatrists. The intention is to formulate the right scientific questions. The following may serve as examples.
* What molecular, neuronal, and psychological conditions lead to a stable coordination of consciousness?
* What is the influence of the experience of ‘self’?
* What happens when coordination is impaired?
* What is the role of dysfunctional coping?
* How do attention, mental states, and consciousness interact?
* Does mindfulness influence mental coordination?
* How do mind/brain-states affect conscious cortical activity?

Themes
1. The neural basis of consciousness;
2. Mental states and integration of emotion and cognition;
3. Disorganization of consciousness, clinical implications, and mindfulness.

In cognitive neuroscience the serial and modular aspects of consciousness are well known. It is in general not realized, however, that if these are observed subjectively, then there may occur a loss of the feeling of agency resulting in existential fear. In the clinical practice, on the other hand, one is in general not familiar with the serial and modular aspects of consciousness that may be related to the clinical problems.

Working schedule

The daily schedule is inspired by the Strüngmann Forum at the Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies. Relevant papers will be distributed beforehand. There will be a couple of keynote talks in the mornings with articulated discussions. As a consequence not all invitees will be asked to present a talk. In the afternoons participants take part in discussions or self-study. Participants fall into three groups, determined by the main topics. Every day, on a roulating basis, two of the three groups will meet separately. The participants of the remaining group may join one of the discussion groups or spend their time in another way. At the end of each afternoon a rapporteur of the discussion groups will offer a synthesis of 15 minutes in a plenary session. On the last day an overview of the questions will be formulated (prepared by the rapporteurs on day 4, but open to discussion). After that, a lecture open to the interested public will be closing the workshop.