claustrum

Calling this critical juncture key to consciousness is not saying the claustrum is a theater where a homunculus watches everything come together, or that consciousness happens in the claustrum.

The claustrum is suspected to be a key junction that ties together different systems, making coordination between systems possible.

The article mostly consists of evidence for the hypothesis that the claustrum is essential for consciousness.

Somebody quote me the passage I'm missing where the investigators say the claustrum is where consciousness happens, rather than just saying that the claustrum may be key to understanding how consciousness happens.

As it happens, there is a piece of anatomy that looks like a physical nexus--the claustrum.

This possibility is suggested by the claustrum's seemingly unique anatomical situation--so many other regions run into it like no other.

Provide minor stimulation to the claustrum and you end up getting more restful sleep, etc.

Of course we have no evidence the plant's effects are specifically related to its action in the claustrum.

We understand them far better than regions we don't even know where it connects: claustrum comes into mind.

If the claustrum is a junction connecting myriad systems, enabling coordinated forms of mental life, possibly consciousness, then in a sense, it could really be a key to consciousness.

Consciousness is a state of the brain where disparate systems interact, and the claustrum may be key to explaining that coordination in consciousness.

The claustrum was already hypothesized to be associated with attention and consciousness.

My favorite part: "Koubeissi thinks that the results do indeed suggest that the claustrum plays a vital role in triggering conscious experience.

According to the etymological dictionary: >From Latin claustrum (“a shut-in place”), from claudō (“I shut, close; I imprison, confine”) + -phobia.

Claustro- comes from Latin Claustrum, which shares the same root as the Greek word.

Claustrum has long been hypothesized to play a role in conciousness, however we know so little about this region (it was only a couple years ago people first recorded neural activity from that region!).

The interaction of the senses, the external (autonomous as it is and therefore unregulated by the Claustrum) world, and all of your memories, imagination, theorizing, etc, are what comprise your consciousness.