Dynamical measures of developing neuroelectric fields in emerging consciousness

" In the early embryo, genetically driven cellular processes are mediated by endogenous electromagnetic fields and intrinsic electrical fields produced by migrating neurons. In the ambient cellular environment, these interactions influence each other, impacting neural migration. The emergence of Theory of Mind, often considered a hallmark of conscious awareness, is accompanied by increasing neural connectivity, neuroelectric field complexity, and more integrated information processing." {Credits 1}

" The development and complexification of all physiological systems, including the neural system, begin from the moment of conception, gradually enabling the emergence of human consciousness [1,2]. From both theoretical and empirical perspectives, the dynamic electromagnetic (EM) field that is coextensive with the physical body of a conscious organism is correlated in some way with consciousness. In this paper, we will briefly review measurable changes that occur during the development of the neuroelectric field." {Credits 1}

" The EM field produced and maintained by neural and other physiological activity will henceforth be called the neuroelectric field, noting that this term is not intended to exclude extraneural, subcellular (e.g. microtubule derived processes), other physiological, or external influences. The neuroelectric field may be considered the physical substrate and proximate cause of thought and behavior, although the neuroelectric field and physiological processes are co-extensive spatially and temporally, suggesting two dimensions or aspects of the body–mind system." {Credits 1}

" Developmental trajectories provide an opportunity to study evolving levels of consciousness by comparing quantitative measures of the neuroelectric field complexity to developmental consciousness assessments." {Credits 1}

" Experimental tests support the hypothesis that electric fields generated by neurons integrate information exchange between neurons to create engrams, a process called ephaptic coupling [21]. Mathematical analysis using neural field theory has shown that electric fields guide ensemble activity, suggesting that the neuroelectric field entrains and controls neurophysiology [21,22]." {Credits 1}

" JThe neuroelectric field may also include higher frequencies that are not typically measured by electroencephalography (EEG) but are predicted by some consciousness theories, such as Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) [26,27]. Measurement of MHz and higher frequencies has been demonstrated [28], which may be included in future dynamical analysis of neuroelectric fields to empirically test theoretical predictions." {Credits 1}

" The primary endogenous force driving the development of the neuroelectric field is genetic... A feedback mechanism may also be involved: control of genetically driven cellular processes is mediated by EM fields produced by centrosomes that function as nano-electronic generators in cells [35]. In the early embryo, intrinsic electrical fields from migrating neurons and cellular environments influence each other, impacting neural migration [36]. Disruption of endogenous EM fields can lead to severe neural defects [37]. The complexity of these cellular EM fields has yet to be studied." {Credits 1}

" EEG signals are typically more synchronized and, we might assume, less complex in early infancy than during childhood and later stages of life." {Credits 1}

" During early childhood, EEG patterns stabilize with the emergence of alpha [8,9,10,11,12,13] waves, which are associated with wakeful, relaxed states, and increased coherence, usually associated with better communication between brain regions [46]. Increased coherence may reflect increasing myelination of central nervous system neurons during childhood. In general, neuroelectric field complexity was shown to increase with development in children [47]." {Credits 1}

" ... additional physical measures, such as biophotons are proposed as providing more insight into the sphere of life and death [82]. We note that photons are ripples in the EM field in the terahertz frequency range (specifically, about 400 THz to 750 THz). Others have proposed that processes in microtubules radiate EM energy in the MHz to lower THz range [27]. These studies may identify specific EM phenomena correlated with the last detectable neural activity patterns before loss of conscious awareness, potentially enhancing our understanding of the boundaries of conscious awareness and supporting related medical strategies. Measurement of a much broader range of EM radiation from living systems than is common with EEG sensors, along with nonlinear dynamical analysis, which reveals far more than just power in frequency bands, is needed. This is consistent with the concept of a neuroelectric dynamical field, which need not be limited in frequency range." {Credits 1}

{Credits 1} 🎪 Bosl, W. J., & Shenkar, J. R. C. (2025). Dynamical measures of developing neuroelectric fields in emerging consciousness. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 61, 101480. © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.