Science：自我意识

大脑和其他器官之间的交流塑造了我们的思维、记忆和感觉。这项研究挑战了大脑和身体疾病之间的传统区别，甚至可能为意识的本质提供线索。Science 11 Jun 2021: Vol. 372, Issue 6547, pp. 1142-1145 DOI: 10.1126/science.372.6547.1142

　　

                   

科学家们正在解开我们的器官如何与大脑对话，以及大脑如何回应。这种被称为内感受的双向交流包括一个由神经和激素组成的复杂系统，包括迷走神经。迷走神经是一个庞大的神经网络，几乎从每个内脏器官到大脑底部，然后再返回。科学家早就知道迷走神经在器官和脑干之间传递信号。但新的研究表明，迷走神经携带的信号越过脑干，进入与记忆、情感和决策有关的大脑区域。这项研究挑战了大脑和身体疾病之间的传统区别，甚至可能为意识的本质提供线索。

Science  11 Jun 2021:
Vol. 372, Issue 6547, pp. 1142-1145
DOI: 10.1126/science.372.6547.1142

Summary

Scientists are unraveling how our organs talk to the brain and how the brain talks back. That two-way communication, known as interoception, encompasses a complex system of nerves and hormones, including the vagus nerve, a massive network of fibers that travel from nearly every internal organ to the base of the brain and back again. Scientist have long known the vagus nerve carries signals between the organs and the brainstem. But new studies show signals carried by the vagus climb beyond the brainstem and into brain regions involved in memory, emotion, and decision-making. The research is challenging traditional distinctions between disorders of the brain and body, and may even hold clues to the nature of consciousness.