#Mindbodyproblem

A boy born with hydranencephaly, a condition that leaves most of the cerebral cortex absent, displays clear signs of consciousness and emotion. A Mind Matters News feature published on June 1 highlights the life of a pseudonymously named child, “Joey,” whose behavior challenges long-held beliefs about what makes us aware. The story urges scientists to reexamine central theories of consciousness in light of real-world evidence.

Modern neuroscience largely links consciousness to the cerebral cortex, the brain’s outer layer responsible for memory, perception, and thought. Prominent theories such as Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Workspace Theory (GWT) argue that consciousness emerges from complex cortical activity. Without a cortex, these models contend, consciousness should be impossible.

A remarkable case of a boy born without the cerebral hemispheres traditionally thought necessary for self-awareness is forcing scientists to reconsider longstanding beliefs about the nature of human consciousness, according to a provocative new account published on June 1 by Mind Matters News (mindmatters.ai). The report details the life and case notes of a child pseudonymously called “Joey,” who, despite being born with hydranencephaly—a devastating condition that obliterates most of the cerebral cortex—demonstrated clear signs of consciousness and a rich range of emotions, fundamentally challenging many of neuroscience’s most prominent theories.