Analog Cognition and Consciousness.

Authors

Earl K Miller, Scott L Brincat, Jefferson E Roy

Published in

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. Volume 46. Issue 33. Aug 19, 2026. Epub Aug 19, 2026.

Abstract

Cognition and consciousness may arise from bidirectional interactions between neuronal spiking and rhythmic electric field activity (brain waves). Goal-directed behavior relies on top-down control to coordinate large neural populations into low-dimensional, task-oriented dynamics. Brain waves are well suited for this role, exerting mesoscale influence over neural excitability. They can also support analog computation, shaping activity patterns according to underlying computational principles. Brain waves can flexibly route and organize neural signals, enabling multifunctional neurons to assume context-dependent roles, a hallmark of cognition. In this view, goal-directed thought, action, and unified consciousness emerge from cortex-wide wave dynamics that both reflect and transform spiking into coherent brain states.

PMID:
42618509
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Aug 2026.

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