During anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, two temporal features of brain activity—long-range temporal correlations (measured by power-law exponent) and temporal variability (measured by standard deviation)—both decrease globally across the brain compared to wakefulness. The spatial relationship between these two features becomes altered, or 'decoupled,' primarily due to changes in the spatial pattern of long-range temporal correlations rather than temporal variability. This suggests that the topographical organization of long-range temporal correlations is crucial for maintaining optimal neural dynamics during normal consciousness, supporting the temporo-spatial theory of consciousness.
Consciousness depends on frequent access between two key brain networks: the default mode network and the dorsal attention network, which normally alternate their activity in an anticorrelated manner. A 'temporal circuit' of dynamic brain activity trajectories regulates transitions between these networks. Balanced reciprocal accessibility of brain states within this circuit characterizes consciousness, while isolation of the networks from the temporal circuit is associated with unresponsiveness from various causes. These findings advance understanding of how anticorrelated brain systems support consciousness.