Unconscious versus conscious processing: Insights from sensory systems

The human brain is a relentless processor of sensory information, yet only a small fraction of this input reaches the level of conscious awareness. The distinction between unconscious and conscious processing remains one of the most profound questions in cognitive neuroscience, with sensory systems providing the primary "laboratory" for this exploration. By precisely controlling stimulus properties, through techniques such as masking, binocular rivalry, or continuous flash suppression, researchers can dissociate physical input from subjective experience. Historically, we have known that the brain can perform complex tasks, such as emotional appraisal or motor priming, without explicit awareness. However, the exact neural architectures and temporal dynamics that allow a sensory signal to cross the threshold into consciousness are still fiercely debated. Whether consciousness is a result of "global workspace" integration, recurrent processing, or specific signal-to-noise ratios in primary sensory cortices remains a central challenge for contemporary neuroscience.The primary objective of this Research Topic is to bridge the gap between competing theories of consciousness by utilizing sensory systems as a model for investigation. A major problem in the field is the difficulty of isolating the "neural correlates of consciousness" (NCC) from the neural processes that precede or follow it, such as attention or task-reporting. To address this, we aim to gather research that distinguishes between the prerequisite states for awareness and the state of consciousness itself. We seek to understand if there is a common "tipping point" across different sensory modalities, visual, auditory, tactile, and others, or if consciousness emerges through modality-specific mechanisms. By integrating high-resolution neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG/EEG), psychophysics, and computational modeling, this Research Topic aims to refine our understanding of how the brain prioritizes specific sensory data for conscious deliberation while allowing other inputs to guide behavior autonomously. Ultimately, this collection will help clarify the functional advantages of conscious experience over the brain’s vast unconscious capabilities.We invite articles that investigate the boundary between unconscious and conscious processing within human sensory systems. We are particularly interested in work that challenges existing paradigms or provides a transdiagnostic view of awareness.Specific themes of interest include, but are not limited to:- Differentiating the neural signatures of sensory awareness from those of attention and executive function.- The role of feedforward vs. feedback (recurrent) connectivity in establishing conscious perception.- The extent of high-level semantic or emotional processing in the absence of awareness.- Temporal dynamics of the transition from subliminal to supraliminal states using EEG or MEG.- Insights from clinical conditions such as blindsight, neglect, or states of altered consciousness (e.g., anesthesia, sleep).- Predictive coding frameworks and the role of "top-down" expectations in shaping conscious experience.- Methodological innovations for more accurately measuring and verifying unconscious processing. Topic editors: Kenichi Shibuya, Carlotta Fossataro Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80188/unconscious-versus-conscious-processing-insights-from-sensory-systems