Our five senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—help us experience and understand the world.
A new study led by Yale researchers reveals that all these senses activate the same deep brain areas involved in consciousness and attention.
Published in the journal NeuroImage, the study explored how sensory signals engage subcortical brain regions responsible for regulating wakefulness and awareness.
These regions, including the midbrain reticular formation and the central thalamus, are essential for maintaining consciousness and focus.
Using fMRI scans of over 1,500 healthy adults performing tasks involving vision, hearing, taste, and touch, researchers discovered that sudden shifts in attention triggered strong activity in these critical brain areas, regardless of the sense used.
This suggests that the brain processes sensory input in a shared system to maintain alertness and awareness.
This finding offers new insight into conditions affecting attention and consciousness, such as ADHD and coma. It may guide future treatments through targeted medications or brain stimulation therapies.
To support brain health and improve focus, engage regularly in activities that challenge multiple senses and require attention shifts, such as puzzles, musical instruments, or mindfulness exercises. Maintaining mental alertness can help preserve critical brain functions related to consciousness and attention.
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