LECTURE 12

Question 1

What are the fMRI functional anti-correlations and how do they look like in various states of consciousness?

Answer 1

Functional anti-correlations in fMRI refer to negative correlations in brain activity between different regions or networks

Normal wakefulness: anti correlates present
Autobiographical mental imagery: anti correlates present
Hypnosis: anticorrelates are lost
Anesthesia: anti correlates lost

Question 2

What is functional connectivity? How does it look like in cases of complete hemispherotomy and why?

Answer 2

Functional connectivity refers to the statistical relationships between different brain regions. In cases of complete hemispherotomy, functional connectivity is disrupted between the disconnected hemisphere and the remaining hemisphere, leading to an emphasis on intrahemispheric connectivity within the hemispheres. Why this is happening well there is no anatomical way for the hemispheres to be connected.

Question 3

Explain the relationship between functional connectivity and mind blanking.

Answer 3

Mind blanking refers to a temporary loss or interruption of conscious thought, often resulting in a state of mental fog or the inability to recall information. When mind blanking you have a brain pattern as if every region responsible for communicating your thought just stops working. So the functional connectivity that would otherwise make you able to communicate your thoughts is disabled.