We present a theoretical view of the cellular foundations for network-level processes involved in producing our conscious experience. Inputs to apical synapses in layer 1 of a large subset of neocortical cells are summed at an integration zone near the top of their apical trunk. These inputs come from diverse sources and provide a context within which the transmission of information abstracted from sensory input to their basal and perisomatic synapses can be amplified when relevant. We argue that apical amplification enables conscious perceptual experience and makes it more flexible, and thus more adaptive, by being sensitive to context. Apical amplification provides a possible mechanism for recurrent processing theory that avoids strong loops. It makes the broadcasting hypothesized by global neuronal workspace theories feasible while preserving the distinct contributions of the individual cells receiving the broadcast. It also provides mechanisms that contribute to the holistic aspects of integrated information theory. As apical amplification is highly dependent on cholinergic, aminergic, and other neuromodulators, it relates the specific contents of conscious experience to global mental states and to fluctuations in arousal when awake. We conclude that apical dendrites provide a cellular mechanism for the context-sensitive selective amplification that is a cardinal prerequisite of conscious perception.

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顶端放大——一种有意识感知的细胞机制？

我们提出了关于产生我们有意识体验的网络级过程的细胞基础的理论观点。一大群新皮层细胞的第 1 层顶端突触的输入在其顶端躯干顶部附近的整合区相加。这些输入来自不同的来源，并提供了一个上下文，在该上下文中，从感觉输入抽象到其基础和周边突触的信息可以在相关时被放大。我们认为，通过对上下文敏感，顶端放大能够实现有意识的感知体验，并使其更加灵活，因此更具适应性。顶端放大为避免强循环的循环处理理论提供了一种可能的机制。它使由全局神经元工作空间理论假设的广播变得可行，同时保留了接收广播的单个细胞的不同贡献。它还提供了有助于综合信息理论整体方面的机制。由于心尖放大高度依赖于胆碱能、胺能和其他神经调节剂，因此它将意识体验的特定内容与整体心理状态和清醒时的唤醒波动联系起来。我们得出结论，顶端树突为上下文敏感的选择性放大提供了一种细胞机制，这是有意识感知的基本先决条件。由于心尖放大高度依赖于胆碱能、胺能和其他神经调节剂，因此它将意识体验的特定内容与整体心理状态和清醒时的唤醒波动联系起来。我们得出结论，顶端树突为上下文敏感的选择性放大提供了一种细胞机制，这是有意识感知的基本先决条件。由于心尖放大高度依赖于胆碱能、胺能和其他神经调节剂，因此它将意识体验的特定内容与整体心理状态和清醒时的唤醒波动联系起来。我们得出结论，顶端树突为上下文敏感的选择性放大提供了一种细胞机制，这是有意识感知的基本先决条件。