El nemátodo consciente: Explorando marcadores de consciencia fenoménica mínima en Caenorhabditis elegans

While subcellular components of cognition and affectivity that involve the interaction between experience, environment, and physiology —such as learning, trauma, or emotion— are being identified, the physical mechanisms of phenomenal consciousness remain more elusive. We are interested in exploring whether ancient, simpler organisms such as nematodes have minimal consciousness. Is there something that feels like to be a worm? Or are worms blind machines? ‘Simpler’ models allow us to simultaneouslyextract data from multiple levels such as slow and fast neural dynamics, structural connectivity, molecular dynamics, behavior, decision making, etc.,and thus, to test predictions of the current frameworks in dispute. In the present critical review, we summarize the current models of consciousnessin order to reassess in light of the new evidence whether Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode with a nervous system composed of 302 neurons, has minimal consciousness. We also suggest empirical paths to further advance consciousness research using C. elegans.

• Autores: Becerra, Diego; Calixto, Andrea; Orio, Patricio
• Tipo de recurso: Article of journal
• Fecha de publicación: 2023
• Institución: Universidad de San Buenaventura
• Repositorio: Repositorio USB
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:bibliotecadigital.usb.edu.co:10819/28973
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/10819/28973; https://doi.org/10.21500/20112084.6487
• Palabra clave: Caenorhabditis elegans; Unlimited Associative Learning; Integrated Information Theory; Global Workspace Theory; Phenomenal consciousness; Consciencia fenoménica; Caenorhabditis elegans; aprendizaje asociativo ilimitado; teoría de la información integrada; teoría del espacio de trabajo global
• Rights: openAccess
• License: http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2