Neuronal activity organization features in human consciousness: summary of introductory remarks in a dialogue with neurological surgery residents.

ABSTRACT

Agreeing with Damasio's statement defining the "process" of consciousness, we propose the self as created by mind-based knowledge and a combination of images of an organism's intentional motor responses interacting with its environment. The lemniscal system, with plastic capabilities, manages gravity in voluntary movement. The spinal segment motor reflex represents the schema of gravity-managing neuronal activity, and it can become "nested" in cortical areas participating in consciousness-building, allowing consideration of the brain as a hyper-evolved nervous system segment harboring atavic spinal organization. Consciousness' capability to change itself makes humans co-participants in their own mental and consciousness evolution.