EEG markers of auditory perception and their relation to consciousness.

EEG markers of auditory perception and their relation to consciousness.

Dr. Renate Rutiku from the Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University

We’re excited to announce the upcoming edition of Neuropizza, taking place on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. This time, we’ll meet at the Institute of Psychology at Jagiellonian University where Dr. Renate Rutiku, a neuroscientist from the Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University. She will deliver a fascinating talk titled:

“EEG Markers of Auditory Perception and Their Connection to Conscious Experience”

What’s the Talk About?
Understanding how our brains process sound—and when those processes become conscious—is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Dr. Rutiku’s talk will explore the hierarchical nature of auditory perception: from basic, automatic detection of sound features to the complex integration of auditory information with our thoughts and awareness.

But when exactly does sound turn into conscious hearing? And how can we measure this in the brain?

This question has both theoretical significance and practical value, especially in diagnosing states of consciousness in patients who appear unresponsive.

A New Way to Detect Consciousness
Traditional EEG-based measures like Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and P3 (novelty response) are commonly used in clinical assessments. However, their ability to accurately reflect conscious awareness is limited—they may capture neural activity either too early or too late in the perceptual process.

Dr. Rutiku introduces a promising new method focused on mid-level auditory processes, specifically auditory scene segregation—the brain’s ability to distinguish different sound sources in the environment.

Across four studies, she and her team show that this EEG marker:

  • Is consistently present in awake, healthy individuals.
  • Vanishes during deep sleep.
  • Shows high sensitivity in patients with disorders of consciousness—far surpassing MMN and P3.

Moreover, its high specificity offers potential for identifying covert consciousness, making it a powerful tool for evaluating patients who cannot communicate or respond behaviorally.

Why It Matters
These findings suggest a strong link between auditory scene segregation and conscious perception. This line of research could significantly impact how clinicians assess awareness in non-responsive patients and deepen our understanding of how consciousness emerges from brain activity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the neuroscience of perception, consciousness, and cutting-edge EEG research — with pizza, of course!

Location: Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Stuba Communis 2.0, Room 0.02 (Ground Floor)
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: Details coming soon