Imaging the Networks of Consciousness

This chapter addresses and reconciles often conflicting conclusions published in the professional functional neuroimaging literature regarding the neuronal networks that may mediate consciousness viewed as a function, as well as neuronal circuits that represent specific products of that function, such as concepts, percepts, and experiences that are also referred to as the “contents” or the constituents of the stream of consciousness. The relevant literature is critically reviewed in order to answer the following questions: First, whether and to what degree consciousness-specific networks have been visualized and what are the prospects of their further specification in the future; second, whether imaging of resting neuronal networks can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in cases of compromised consciousness among comatose patients or patients in the vegetative state; and third, whether visualization of the neuronal circuits that represent knowledge in the form of concepts and intentions is feasible.