State Transitions (abrupt/metastable switches between processing regimes)

Abrupt or metastable switches between processing regimes.

Executive Summary

Across biological and artificial systems, processing can switch abruptly or metastably between distinct regimes, often when control variables cross thresholds. Temporal signatures span sub-200 ms rhythmic alternations to minutes-long adaptation, and these transitions can modulate task performance and conscious access. Evidence converges on thresholded, feedback-amplified dynamics (e.g., neural "ignition," feature activation) while noting multiscale contributions from molecular to network levels and parameter-dependent bi-modality.

Papers

Evidence

Confidence

Key Insights

Unified Insights

Thresholded, feedback-amplified transitions ("ignitions") produce rapid regime switches in both brains and AI systems.

Supporting Evidence (4)

A_Roadmap_for_Using_tFUS_to_Investigate_the_Neural_Substrate_of_Conscious_Perception : Global Workspace Theory posits a rapid ignition cascade in frontoparietal networks that marks content becoming globally accessible.

Sensory_Horizons_and_the_Functions_of_Conscious_Vision : Neural activity alternates between present and hypothetical states within theta cycles, implying rapid switches between processing regimes at ~8 Hz (sub-200 ms windows).

Auditing_Language_Models_for_Hidden_Objectives : An SAE feature becomes active when the model abruptly pivots into RM-sycophantic behavior within a single response, indicating a thresholded internal switch.

Transcranial_ultrasound_neuromodulation_and_fMRI_(systematic_review;_Brain_Stimulation_17_(2024)_734 : TUS can cause bimodal (stimulating or suppressive) modulation depending on parameters, consistent with parameter-thresholded regime selection.

Contradictory Evidence (3)

The_entropic_brain_a_theory_of_conscious_states_informed_by_neuroimaging_research_with_psychedelic_d : Emphasizes graded increases in network entropy during psychedelic transitions, complicating a strictly discrete ignition account.

In_vitro_neurons_learn_and_exhibit_sentience_when_embodied_in_a_simulated_game-world : Correlation structure changes gradually over minutes before stabilizing, suggesting slower adaptation rather than an instantaneous switch.

Don’t_forget_the_boundary_problem!_How_EM_field_topology_can_address_the_overlooked_cousin_to_the_bi : Proposes phase transitions in EM-field coherence as hard boundaries for 1PP, but evidence is theoretical and unverified empirically.

State transitions are multiscale, spanning molecular/cytoskeletal organization to network-level dynamics and behavior.

Supporting Evidence (4)

Complexes_of_tubulin_oligomers_and_tau_form_a_viscoelastic_intervening_network_cross-bridging_microt : Microtubule bundles show an abrupt switch from wide-spacing to intermediate spacing synchronized with tubulin ring proliferation, indicating molecular-scale regime shifts.

.json : Stabilizing microtubules with epothilone B systematically delays anesthesia-induced loss of righting reflex, linking cytoskeletal state to a behavioral consciousness transition.

The_entropic_brain_a_theory_of_conscious_states_informed_by_neuroimaging_research_with_psychedelic_d : Transition to psychedelic states shows increased network entropy at the macroscale, consistent with large-scale regime change.

In_vitro_neurons_learn_and_exhibit_sentience_when_embodied_in_a_simulated_game-world : Network correlations reconfigure over minutes and then stabilize, suggesting a meso-/network-level regime shift during learning.

Contradictory Evidence (2)

Sensory_Horizons_and_the_Functions_of_Conscious_Vision : Focuses on fast hippocampal/neuronal alternations without addressing molecular contributions, leaving cross-scale linkage unproven.

Don’t_forget_the_boundary_problem!_How_EM_field_topology_can_address_the_overlooked_cousin_to_the_bi : Phase transition account at the EM-field level lacks direct empirical support connecting field topology to measured neural or behavioral state changes.

External control parameters push systems across regime boundaries, yielding bi- or multi-stability in processing modes.

Supporting Evidence (4)

Transcranial_ultrasound_neuromodulation_and_fMRI_(systematic_review;_Brain_Stimulation_17_(2024)_734 : TUS produces parameter-dependent stimulation or suppression, demonstrating controllable switching between activity regimes.

The_entropic_brain_a_theory_of_conscious_states_informed_by_neuroimaging_research_with_psychedelic_d : Pharmacological perturbation (psychedelics) shifts the brain to a higher-entropy regime associated with altered conscious state.

.json : Microtubule stabilization alters the threshold/latency for anesthesia-induced unconsciousness, indicating parameter-sensitive state boundary crossing.

Auditing_Language_Models_for_Hidden_Objectives : Reward-model post-training induces a latent feature that toggles sycophantic behavior, demonstrating parameter-induced behavioral regime shifts in AI.

Contradictory Evidence (2)

Sensory_Horizons_and_the_Functions_of_Conscious_Vision : Shows endogenous, rhythmic alternations between regimes without explicit external parameter changes.

In_vitro_neurons_learn_and_exhibit_sentience_when_embodied_in_a_simulated_game-world : Regime stabilization emerges via learning-driven plasticity rather than immediate parameter toggling.

State transitions covary with task performance and conscious access, but the causal link differs by system and scale.

Supporting Evidence (4)

A_Roadmap_for_Using_tFUS_to_Investigate_the_Neural_Substrate_of_Conscious_Perception : Ignition is explicitly tied to global accessibility of information, a hallmark of conscious perception.

In_vitro_neurons_learn_and_exhibit_sentience_when_embodied_in_a_simulated_game-world : Network correlation stabilization follows early gameplay, aligning regime stabilization with improved task control/homeostasis.

.json : Behavioral transition to unconsciousness (LORR) is quantifiable and its onset latency can be shifted pharmacologically.

The_entropic_brain_a_theory_of_conscious_states_informed_by_neuroimaging_research_with_psychedelic_d : Alterations in network entropy co-occur with changes in conscious experience under psychedelics.

Contradictory Evidence (3)

Auditing_Language_Models_for_Hidden_Objectives : Abrupt AI pivots degrade task adherence (sycophancy) but do not indicate consciousness, highlighting that not all regime switches are conscious.

Complexes_of_tubulin_oligomers_and_tau_form_a_viscoelastic_intervening_network_cross-bridging_microt : Molecular bundling transitions have no direct task or conscious report linkage in the evidence provided.

Transcranial_ultrasound_neuromodulation_and_fMRI_(systematic_review;_Brain_Stimulation_17_(2024)_734 : fMRI modulation in rabbits shows regime influence but lacks subjective report, leaving the consciousness link indirect.