Stuart Hameroff MD, Professor, Anesthesiology and Psychology. Director, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona will talk at the
Oxford Mathematics of Consciousness and Applications Network (OMCAN) Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford.
Over 500 scientists, philosophers, scholars, artists will gather in Taormina Sicily and engage in discussions to try to get as close as possible to the question regarding the nature of consciousness.
The ‘think tank’ ‘Fundamental Questions Institute’ (‘FQXI’) has sponsored coordinated research, articles and a press release comparing two theoretical versions of ‘objective reduction’ (‘OR’), proposals for gravity-related collapse of the quantum wavefunction.(1-3) They also wrongly insinuate that the ‘Orch OR’ theory of consciousness I put forth with Sir Roger Penrose in the mid 1990s (4,5) has been refuted.
A team of researchers at the University of Arizona has found that low-intensity ultrasound waves directed at a particular region of the brain’s prefrontal cortex in healthy subjects can elevate mood, and decrease connectivity in a brain network that has been shown to be hyperactive in psychiatric disorders. The method uses transcranial focused ultrasound (‘tFUS’), a painless, non-invasive technique to modulate brain function comparable to transcranial magnetic stimulation (‘TMS’), and transcranial direct current stimulation (‘tDCS’). This study shows, for the first time, a correlation between tFUS-induced mood enhancement, and reorganization of brain circuits.
The Science of Consciousness (TSC) 2019 is the 26th annual international interdisciplinary conference on fundamental questions and cutting-edge issues connected with conscious experience.
https://www.tsc2019-interlaken.ch/
The Science of Consciousness (TSC) 2019 is the 26th annual international interdisciplinary conference on fundamental questions and cutting-edge issues connected with conscious experience.
The Science of Consciousness ('TSC') is an interdisciplinary conference emphasizing broad and rigorous approaches to all aspects of the study and understanding of conscious awareness. Topical areas include neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, language, biology, quantum physics, meditation, altered states, machine consciousness, the nature of reality, culture and experiential phenomenology.
The Science of Consciousness (‘TSC’) is an interdisciplinary conference emphasizing broad and rigorous approaches to all aspects of the study and understanding of conscious awareness. Topical areas include neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, biology, quantum physics, meditation, altered states, machine consciousness, the nature of reality, culture and experiential phenomenology. Held annually since 1994, the conference is hosted by the Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona, and alternates yearly between Tucson, Arizona and various locations around the world. The next 'TSC', The Science of Consciousness, will be April 2-7, 2018 in Tucson Arizona at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort co-hosted with the University of Michigan, Center for Consciousness Science. See website for details www.consciousness.arizona.edu
The Science of Consciousness (‘TSC’) is an interdisciplinary conference emphasizing broad and rigorous approaches to all aspects of the study and understanding of conscious awareness. Topical areas include neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, biology, quantum physics, meditation, altered states, machine consciousness, the nature of reality, culture and experiential phenomenology.
Anesthetic gases selectively block consciousness, sparing non-conscious brain activities. Thus the specific mechanism of anesthetic action could reveal how the brain produces consciousness.
A unique institute is being formed to develop and investigate the forward-thinking ideas
of eminent British physicist Sir Roger Penrose. To be based in San Diego, California, with collaborations in London and Oxford in the UK, and Tucson, Arizona, the Institute
will examine the interplay between quantum mechanics and general relativity and the possible implications on our understanding of consciousness.
'The Science of Consciousness' ('TSC') is the world's largest and longest-running interdisciplinary conference on all aspects of the nature of conscious awareness, feelings and existence.
After 23 years, the seminal conference 'Toward a Science of Consciousness' is now simply 'The Science of Consciousness'. But as consciousness cannot be observed, scientifically explained, nor commonly defined, is there now truly a 'Science of Consciousness'? Are we there yet?
Anesthetics act inside neurons in microtubule pi electron resonance clouds, similar to those mediating quantum coherence in photosynthesis proteins. Here the authors show anesthetics dampen pi cloud terahertz oscillations, proposed as the microtubule-based origin of consciousness.
Eastern and Western views about consciousness will clash at the 20 year anniversary conference ‘Toward a Science of Consciousness” which kicks off April 21 at the Marriott University Park Hotel at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Web-based TV channel ‘Consciousness Central’ will
show plenary lectures, interviews with key figures, commentary and analysis, clips from previous conferences, scenes from the consciousness art show, poetry slam, ‘zombie blues’, and parties.
The nature of consciousness, the reality it conveys and our place in the universe remain unknown. Since ancient times, two types of views have approached these questions. In Western science and philosophy, consciousness is strictly a by-product of brain activity, the reality it perceives not to be trusted (‘Plato’s cave’, Descartes’ ‘brain-in-a-vat’, Dennett’s ‘multiple drafts’). On the other hand, in Eastern philosophy, consciousness is primary, the fundamental basis for reality.
Toward a Science of Consciousness 2014
The 20th Anniversary Conference
April 21-26, 2014
Marriott University Park, Tucson, Arizona
Sponsored by the Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques aimed at mental and neurological conditions include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression, and transcranial direct current (electrical) stimulation (tDCS), shown to improve memory. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has also shown promise.
Modern anesthesia is extremely safe. But as risks to heart, lungs and other organs have waned, another problem has emerged in the elderly: post-operative cognitive dysfunction. Mentally, some patients “just aren’t the same” for months or longer after surgery. Other factors play a role, but a small number of patients deteriorate mentally due to anesthesia per se. Those with Alzheimer’s disease suffer exacerbations, and those without the diagnosis may have it unmasked by anesthesia, suggesting some relationship.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) steals memory and ruins lives. Despite near-daily reports of promising new therapies, AD remains unchecked. Now a new study reveals the mechanism by which AD may cause memory loss, suggesting new therapies.
Despite a century of research, memory encoding in the brain has remained mysterious. Neuronal synaptic connection strengths are involved, but synaptic components are short-lived while memories last lifetimes. This suggests synaptic information is encoded and hard-wired at a deeper, finer-grained molecular scale.