In a landmark advance that could reshape how science understands consciousness, a collaboration of Chinese and French researchers has meticulously mapped the claustrum—the brain region often dubbed as a “conductor of consciousness”—in the crab-eating macaque monkey. Reporting their findings in the highly respected journal Cell in April 2025, the team unveiled an unprecedented single-cell spatial transcriptome atlas and a whole-brain connectivity map, shedding new light on the neural diversity and complex wiring that underpins conscious awareness in primates Cell, SCMP. This research not only offers a detailed blueprint of the elusive claustrum, but also marks a major step toward identifying how consciousness itself emerges from brain circuits—a quest with deep philosophical and practical significance for humanity, including Thai society.
Public fascination with consciousness—what it is, how it arises, and what separates human awareness from that of other animals—has for centuries inspired both Buddhist philosophy and Western scientific inquiry. For many Thais, understanding the mind goes beyond curiosity: it touches on meditation, spiritual life, mental well-being, and hopes for better treatments for illnesses such as depression, sleep disorders, and dementia. The claustrum, a paper-thin but dense sheet of neurons hidden deep within the brain, has long been hypothesized to coordinate the “integration” of perceptions and thoughts—playing a role, some theorize, akin to that of a chatchakorn (“conductor”) orchestrating the mental symphony. Yet, exactly how this region does so, and what makes primate (and possibly human) consciousness distinct, has remained a tantalizing mystery.
The new study used the latest single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatially-resolved transcriptomics to analyze 227,750 individual cells—and combined this with brain-wide neural tracing. Researchers identified 48 distinct cell types in the claustrum of the macaque, providing the most comprehensive cellular “parts list” to date. Most strikingly, they discovered significant primate-specific differences: many of these cell types, especially glutamatergic neurons, closely resembled those found in the insular cortex (another brain region implicated in bodily awareness and emotion) PubMed, but not in rodents. This suggests a possible evolutionary upgrade in primates that could be linked to advanced cognitive functions—including the rich tapestry of conscious experience.
Connectivity mapping revealed four spatially distinct zones within the claustrum. Each of these zones preferentially connects to clusters of functionally-related brain regions: for instance, some zones project to memory-related structures like the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, while others link to the motor cortex and putamen, which are crucial for movement. “These data provide the basis for elucidating the neuronal organization underlying diverse claustral functions,” said the team in their Cell paper (Cell). The discovery that macaque-specific cell types target discrete brain modules strengthens the longstanding theory that the claustrum helps synchronize diverse mental operations—possibly giving rise to the unity of conscious experience humans often take for granted.
Comparisons across species added another dimension. By juxtaposing the transcriptome of macaque, marmoset (a small New World primate), and mouse claustrums, the scientists identified cell types that were unique to primates. This specialized molecular architecture and connectivity could underlie the more complex, flexible consciousness observed in monkeys and, by extension, in humans. The claustrum in macaques also exhibits a pronounced ipsilateral bias—meaning that most connections run on the same side of the brain rather than crossing hemispheres, which is not the case in rodents. This arrangement may support more specialized processing and integration of information—a possible neural foundation for the sophisticated awareness that humans possess Wikipedia.
The implications for Thailand are profound. First, this research advances global efforts to unlock the neural basis of consciousness, offering hope for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for brain disorders that affect perception, awareness, and cognition. Thailand’s ageing society faces rising burdens from dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases; a deeper understanding of brain circuits could pave new paths for both prevention and care. Second, the project’s data are publicly accessible online (Digital Brain Claustrum Atlas), enabling Thai neuroscientists, medical students, and policy makers to examine and build on this resource for local research. As Associate Professor Somchai Chokedee from Mahidol University, who was not involved in the study, noted: “International big-data brain projects like this are a golden opportunity for Thailand to strengthen our own neuroscience and AI research. Improving understanding at the cellular level will benefit both medical innovation and education.”
Traditionally, Thai understanding of consciousness has been heavily influenced by Buddhist thought, which emphasizes the interdependence of mind (citta), body, and sensory experience in shaping self-awareness. The notion that the mind is constructed moment-by-moment from a network of causes aligns strikingly with the modern scientific view, in which consciousness arises from the integrated activity of brain circuits. This study bridges that ancient wisdom and contemporary neuroscience, confirming that there are indeed neural “hubs” that facilitate the unity of mind—a finding sure to resonate with monks, lay practitioners, and scientists alike. “Such research is more than just technical; it pushes us to reflect on the nature of self and the roots of suffering and happiness,” commented Venerable Phra Surasak, a meditation teacher at Wat Pah Nanachat.
Casting an eye to the future, experts hope that the detailed cellular maps will support the development of “brain organoid” models—mini-brains grown from stem cells—that can be used to probe consciousness and disease without the need for animal or human testing. Some scientists speculate that one day, we may even use this knowledge in human brain-computer interfaces, providing hope to people with locked-in syndrome or severe paralysis. Ethical discussions will be needed as such interventions become possible—a conversation in which Thai Buddhist and cultural perspectives will play an important role.
Nevertheless, uncertainties remain. The researchers caution that their classification of cell types relies on molecular signatures and clustering methods that may change as technology advances. They also note that “a more direct demonstration of selective connectivity for a specific cell type would require cell-type-specific labeling”—a technically challenging goal for macaques and impossible in humans for now (Cell). Consciousness itself is notoriously difficult to measure; no animal, including a monkey, can self-report its own awareness. Cross-species comparisons raise ongoing questions: do the same neural circuits that support awareness in macaques work the same way in humans, or do we have even more specialized brain machinery?
For Thai readers and policymakers, these findings underscore the value of supporting international research collaborations and developing local neuroscience expertise. Investment in brain research—whether via the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education, or private organizations—can help Thai scientists join the cutting edge of understanding the mind, mental health, and the neurological causes of suffering. Schools and universities can use these discoveries to inspire the next generation of doctors, psychologists, and biomedical engineers.
In practical terms, what can be done? Thai healthcare providers should continue to monitor advances in neurotechnology and brain research to bring the best diagnostics and treatments to Thai patients. Students and lay readers can visit open-access data portals like Digital Brain Claustrum Atlas or follow neuroscience news on platforms such as PubMed and ScienceDirect. Teachers can incorporate these global scientific advances into lessons, helping young people grasp both the scientific method and the profound philosophical questions surrounding consciousness. And, as the science of mind advances, all of us can reflect on the interplay of ancient wisdom and modern research in understanding the deepest layers of our mental life.
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