What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize consciousness using two dimensions derived from neural oscillation patterns across frequency bands.

March 28, 2026Open Access

Two Attractors and Five Layers: A Phenomenal State Space Defined by Spatial Efficiency and Inter-Layer Tension of Neural Oscillations

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This research reveals how neural oscillation patterns define consciousness levels and structural complexity.

To characterize consciousness using two dimensions derived from neural oscillation patterns across frequency bands.
Analysis of five independent EEG datasets across various states such as sedation and sleep.
Measurement of spatial efficiency and inter-layer tension in the oscillatory hierarchy.
Identification of distinct trajectory types (horizontal, diagonal, vertical) in the framework.
Three distinct types of trajectories (horizontal, diagonal ascending, and vertical descending) indicate different mechanisms of phenomenal transition.
The framework distinguishes between varying phenomenal structures at similar consciousness levels.
N2 sleep stage is identified as having maximum inter-layer tension with active boundaries, despite low overall consciousness.

Alastair Waterman (2026) studied this question.

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