ABSTRACT
The modern methods of cognitive neuroscience can be used to study the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) just as well as they can be used to study the neural basis of any other psychological phenomenon. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) tell where in the brain changes in brain metabolism happen as conscious phenomena emerge from brain activity. NCC research requires carefully designed laboratory experiments to reveal the parts and activities of the brain that are involved when consciousness comes about. Functional brain imaging methods include functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI and positron emission tomography or PET. Global disorders of consciousness are pathological states of deep unconsciousness, brought about by severe brain injuries or diseases. To separate the neural correlates of visual consciousness from other brain activities, one especially fruitful phenomenon is binocular rivalry. Brain death, coma, vegetative state, and minimally conscious state represent the different degrees of severity of global disorders of consciousness.
