Abstract

To understand the mechanisms that shape consciousness and the evolutionary advantages it confers, identification of the neural correlates of consciousness is considered to be of fundamental importance. Hence, by reviewing neglect pathology, I set out to identify the anterior cingulate and the precuneus-posterior cingulate as components of access to consciousness, while the medial-superior temporal lobe, the anterior insula, the posterior insula, the superior parietal lobe, the lateral motor cortices BA 8 and BA 6, the inferior frontal lobe, and the inferior parietal lobe appear to correspond to eight distinct and autonomous parallel types of consciousness. All eight types are only thought to be present in humans. The primitive types of consciousness appeared for the first time in reptiles, providing evolutionary advantages like the ability to learn rapidly and a problem-solving approach mediated by mental images. Furthermore, the neural correlates of these type of consciousness bear a striking anatomical and physiological resemblance to mirror neurons. Like mirror neurons, the NCCs are active when we perceive both external and mental images