Testing circuit-level theories of consciousness in humans

Our understanding of the neural basis of consciousness is mostly restricted tolarge-scale brain activity patterns as measured by methods such as functionalmagnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magneto/electro-encephalography(M/EEG). In contrast, we lack even basic understanding of circuit-level mecha-nisms supporting consciousness – particularly in humans – despite the fundamen-tal role that such mechanisms likely play in instantiating larger-scale brain activitypatterns supporting conscious states and contents. Here, we review what progresshas been made on circuit-level theories of consciousness (e.g., apical amplificationtheory, dendritic integration theory) and argue that such theories can be tested inhumans using recently developed, state-of-the-art methods. Doing so will furtherfacilitate translation of consciousness science into clinical settings and strengthenthe bridge between circuit- and network-level theories of consciousness.