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Consciousness Without a Cerebral Cortex: A Challenge for Neuroscience

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Applied Subcortical consciousness

By Bjorn Merker

Summary

Decorticate animals and hydranencephalic children (without cortex) show: wake-sleep cycles, orienting, emotional responses, flexible goal-directed behaviour, learning. Upper brainstem (midbrain RF, superior colliculus, PAG) + basal ganglia + thalamus is *sufficient* for minimal consciousness. Cortex adds content, not consciousness.

Why It Matters

Most direct challenge to "cortico-centrism." If hydranencephalic children can recognize caregivers and express preferences, consciousness does not require neocortex.

Notes

This entry is a seed import from the Phase 1 Knowledge Inventory. It has not yet been manually reviewed.