Perceptual awareness negativity: a physiological correlate of sensory consciousness

Much research on the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) has focused on two evoked potentials, the P3b and the visual or auditory awareness negativity (VAN, AAN). Surveying a broad range of recent experimental evidence, we find that repeated failures to observe the P3b during conscious perception eliminate it as a putative NCC. Neither the VAN nor the AAN have been dissociated from consciousness; furthermore, a similar neural signal correlates with tactile consciousness. These awareness negativities can be maximal contralateral to the evoking stimulus, are likely generated in underlying sensory cortices, and point to the existence of a generalized perceptual awareness negativity (PAN) reflecting the onset of sensory consciousness.

Automated summary

Research on the neural correlates of consciousness has shown that the P3b is not a reliable indicator, while the VAN and AAN are associated with consciousness. A similar neural signal correlates with tactile consciousness and may be generated in sensory cortices. These findings point to a generalized perceptual awareness negativity (PAN) that reflects the onset of sensory consciousness.