From affective blindsight to emotional consciousness.
Conscious Cogn
; 36: 414-25, 2015 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26058355
ABSTRACT
Following destruction or denervation of the primary visual cortex (V1) cortical blindness ensues. Affective blindsight refers to the uncanny ability of such patients to respond correctly, or above chance level, to visual emotional expressions presented to their blind fields. Fifteen years after its original discovery, affective blindsight still fascinates neuroscientists and philosophers alike, as it offers a unique window on the vestigial properties of our visual system that, though present in the intact brain, tend to be unnoticed or even actively inhibited by conscious processes. Here we review available studies on affective blindsight with the intent to clarify its functional properties, neural bases and theoretical implications. Evidence converges on the role of subcortical structures of old evolutionary origin such as the superior colliculus, the pulvinar and the amygdala in mediating affective blindsight and nonconscious perception of emotions. We conclude that approaching consciousness, and its absence, from the vantage point of emotion processing may uncover important relations between the two phenomena, as consciousness may have evolved as an evolutionary specialization to interact with others and become aware of their social and emotional expressions.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Percepção Social
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Colículos Superiores
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Estado de Consciência
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Cegueira Cortical
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Pulvinar
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Afeto
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Tonsila do Cerebelo
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article