Adjusting the light in the limit conditions of consciousness by the means of ascending reticular activating system (ARAS*) and of subordinated systems Part 1: Introduction and Aims

摘要

Background: In our activity in the Ambulance Service of Bucharest Municipality during March 2002 - March 2003 we studied a casuistry of patients who had fallen in a coma of varying degrees. To aid better understanding of coma, the concept of “pre-coma stage” or diencephalic “0 stage ” was introduced. This concept complements the Arseni classification already used in medical practice, because some doctors alternatively use the term of “inaugural coma” for the same condition that we call diencephalic “0 stage”. In the median hypothalamus and on the retino-hypothalamic path (SCN - AN) optical waves are transmitted, probably in the near infrared spectral range (800-1000 nm). These waves would constitute a means of transmitting information about the infradian biorhythm of coordination (frequencies below 1 cycle/28 hours), essential for the modulation and pre-processing of the consciousness and wakefulness, a fact which has already been demonstrated in animals.Methods: The current work is based on observations made on a group of 51 patients with the precoma and coma conditions, and on a thorough study of the specialized (especially Romanian) literature. Also, we used validated scientific proof of torture in conditions of lack of light.Results: We found a perfect interpenetration between the ARAS and the following two complementary subsystems: 1. The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, that has the role of coordinating the periodicity of some biological functions depending on the circadian rhythm; and 2. The main photoperiodic organ, the pineal gland (epiphysis), which together with the ARAS has a role in the photoperiodicity modulation of some biological functions during the state of vigilance.Conclusion: From the above mentioned one may conclude that the consciousness condition is the unitary result of action of all human brain systems and especially sub-systems, which are controlled and led by a psycho-neurological process of integration at the cortex level. “Everyone knows what the consciousness is, until one tries to define it” (William James: The Stream of Consciousness”, 1892).