Integrated information structure collapses with anesthetic loss of conscious arousal in Drosophila melanogaster

The physical basis of consciousness remains one the most elusive concepts in current science. One influential conjecture is that to do with some form causality, measurable through information. integrated information theory (IIT) proposes conscious experience, filled rich and specific content, corresponds directly a hierarchically organised, irreducible pattern causal interactions; i.e. an informational structure among elements system. Here, we tested this simple biological system (fruit flies), estimating during wakefulness general anesthesia. Consistent conjecture, found interactions populations neurons collapsed isolated clusters We used classification analysis quantify accuracy discrimination between wakeful anesthetised states, structures inferred states greater than scalar summary structure, measure which generally championed as main IIT. In stark contrast view assumes feedforward architecture for insect brains, especially fly visual systems, structures, cannot arise from purely occurred across brain. Further, these uniformly brain Our results speak potential utility novel concept “informational structure” level consciousness, above beyond values.