Basic ‘SELF’ is created from Delta rhythm manifolds as its existential origin .
Background : Substrate : state of presence without Identity (modulated with environmental sensory relay and bodily interoceptive inputs).
LEVEL 1.
‘I exist’ substrate…. Brain stem inputs of ascending environment caused interactions, in form of barrage of neuronal action potential signals as surrounding environment sensations are modulated …most are inhibited through interneurons , to highlight and allow only those selected for life process and survival relevance.
Along this route of ARAS (Ascending Reticular formation) , supplementary codes of primitive Medullary and homeostatic governors are also perpetually providing related information about vitals , generated from oscillator activity survival centers. These lay foundational groundwork basis for Alertness …first proto-signal required as ‘arousal’…a gateway to AWAKE and later AWARE existence .
Here is the pre conceptual, Pré narrative, Pré agency ,and devoid of any element of emotion , but is at its most subtle, most deep layer level of being alive … before any of these , ‘I am,Me or Mine’ sense of agency appear.
The slow delta rhythm at 0.5-4 Hz in neural activity and neuromodulators signals are captured and entwined , synchronized, then amplified by Thalamus thru intralaminar nuclei routes (ILN) , and broadcasted globally into cortex , and specific insular region of cortex.
Here a two tier system operates to create Arousal system functionality : as without neuromodulators action ILN broadcast is ineffective , and without ILN activity neuromodulators cannot integrate the synaptic integration timings.
Intralaminar nuclei at crossroads in core central pathway , acting as Gain setters for arousal , and as integration bridges .Thus are precision and ignition regulators ,diffuse modulatory broadcasters as central thalamic ignition hubs. These receive input from brain stem reticular activating system, basal ganglia , and in turn allow Global permissive gating.
Whereas Neuromodulatory nuclei of Brain stem with their monoaminergic and cholinergic projections send diffuse axonal branching throughout cortex.
Here integration into concept of coherent bodily presence occurs , as a system… ‘begins to feel’ .
Delta rhythm is the first cortical scale signature of existence - a Interoceptive framework existential base originates in this brain stem-thalamic and insular loop.
Still no narrative, no agency – just embodied existence.
Thalamocortical loops stabilize this grid field ,maintaining delta rhythm as stable global oscillation background . Here now Alpha rhythms gate the sensory inputs.
Theta wave is a cognitive frame ,a recurrent temporal scaffold within which distributed neural populations coordinate information across multiple faster timescales… Theta is generated from several interacting circuits :
Thalamus is not simply a source of Theta rhythm , but does participate in generation,synchronise,or transmission of theta range activity as recurrent activity as a timer … A clock …in the ‘behavior of the loop’...
Hippocampal ‘Theta’ is through Medial septum rhythmic pacing hippocampus by both Cholinergic and GABAergic circuits :
Septal neurons do not simply send a 6 Hz electrical signal pulse into hippocampus , in fact it organizes the excitability and timing of hippocampus inhibitory and excitatory circuits.
Hippocampus then generates and becomes itself an oscillator with contributing firing at various phases : net result being a behavior as single self maintaining Oscillator than a metronome sitting in one nucleus. at entorhinal , CA1CA3 recurrent loop ,and interneurons zones.
But Cortical origin of theta is different as , it emerges with interactions amongst as distributed network rhythm. It becomes prominent during cognitive ,navigational , ,or working memory processings.
Theta rhythms provides minimal frame scaffolding, and Gamma rhythms as burst are enabled by thalamus only When required as context of information for consolidation.
Here only a foundational “I exist” substrate originates , which is anchored in body interoceptive sensations and metabolism, and is thalamus driven …as the lowest energy foundational attractor of system.
A pure being …a presence without identity , origin of subjective feel as being …not yet a ‘Subject’.
LEVEL 2.
I am /Me /Mine are three different aspect constructions, each formed as requiring contribution from different segments of TC- thalamo-Cortical loop :
‘I am’ is the minimal self : in emergence of Awareness
Alpha,Theta rhythms and TC- (the thalamic-fronto-parietal interactions )
This is creation of an anchor, attractor or ,Centre, as Witness… A locus of experience – and awareness as
a ‘Subject’….
Me – the narrative self ( DMN + Theta )
It is the autobiographical Story about self,
DMN (default mode network) includes mPFC,PCC, Angular gyrus and uses also
Hippocampus for memory , & Thalamic creations as Theta rhythm for concept temporal framing , sequencing all the functions of past, present and future to create the story of personality feeling as a SUBJECT.
Mine- The Ownership self :Integrated body sensations,boundaries ,emotions and thoughts (into Insular cortex ,parietal cortex , and Alpha Rhythm )
Insula ( Interoception).,parietal Cortex for mapping body schema, along with somato-sensory cortex and Thalamic temporal windows created by Alpha rhythm .
Here Alpha rhythm creates ownership boundary Limits.
Now is Embodied self is apparent , and realization occurs …
3. Consciousness- the Integrated Self
Thalamo-cortical loops TC + Cortex regions are fully synchronized.( but also integrated to this activity are initial Hypothalamic valence, codes , hippocampus contributions for memory , Striatum selection in affordances.
Delta-existence, Alpha-boundary, Theta-Continuity of narration frames and Gamma- Content+Context of story.
Gamma Is a Local Excitatory-Inhibitory Product
Thalamus is the only real architect of unity for Self -model .
Creates a layered stack of rhythmic constructions :as ,
*Thalamus shapes ‘Self’ as a Conductor of Neural Symphony by controlling network competitions between : DMN ( Narrative ),Salience (Body and emotions ) and Executive functions (Control and Planning).
TC loops , Pyramidal and interneurons being the core.
**Thalamus therefore synchronises all Cortical lobes thru TC rhythmic synchrony between frontal , parietal and temporal and occipital regions.
***Thalamus creates > I exist - a global field of being, by amplifying slow delta from brain stem and broadcast this globally.
And then it creates also > I am … an Alpha rhythm boundary of Self , and Theta rhythm for forming of the temporal continuity of awareness … creating a Centered SUBJECT.
****Thalamus also binds All regions of cortex in precipitating decision making by interactions amongst all possible Affordances . Gamma packets of content /context binding , are cemented within Theta sequencing and Alpha gating.
