Article
Neurosciences
Fabrice Ferre, Lizette Heine, Edouard Naboulsi, Florent Gobert, Maude Beaudoin-Gobert, Frederic Dailler, William Buffieres, Alexandra Corneyllie, Benjamine Sarton, Beatrice Riu, Jacques Luaute, Stein Silva, Fabien Perrin
Summary: Research shows that approximately 30% of patients with acquired disorders of consciousness are able to process self-referential auditory stimuli, which may be related to consciousness recovery.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Catherine Duclos, Charlotte Maschke, Yacine Mahdid, Danielle Nadin, Alexander Rokos, Caroline Arbour, Mohamed Badawy, Justin Letourneau, Adrian M. Owen, Gilles Plourde, Stefanie Blain-Moraes
Summary: Using electroencephalography (EEG) and propofol, researchers have developed an adaptive reconfiguration index that can accurately predict whether patients with disorders of consciousness will recover consciousness. This measure has significant implications for clinical decision-making and can be implemented in acute clinical settings.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yuanyuan Dang, Yong Wang, Xiaoyu Xia, Yi Yang, Yang Bai, Jianning Zhang, Jianghong He
Summary: This study demonstrated the efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in enhancing recovery from minimally conscious state (MCS) by improving functional connectivity and brain networks.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Piotr Knapik, Dawid Borowik, Daniel Ciesla, Ewa Trejnowska
Summary: A significant percentage of patients are discharged from ICU with disorders of consciousness. Discharge in a VS and MCS was relatively frequent, and more likely among patients who were admitted unconscious and due to cardiac arrest or craniocerebral trauma.
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Sarah Benghanem, Estelle Pruvost-Robieux, Eleonore Bouchereau, Martine Gavaret, Alain Cariou
Summary: This study summarizes the application of electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked-potentials (EPs) in predicting neurological outcome of comatose patients. EEG records brain electrical fields while EPs represent the summated activities of large populations of neurons firing in synchrony. Different brain generators and prognostic values make EPs provide more detailed and specific information compared to EEG. Future research will focus on reducing prognostic uncertainty.
ANNALS OF INTENSIVE CARE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Alexander Schielke, Bart Krekelberg
Summary: The author systematically reviewed studies on altered rhythmic responses to visual stimulation in individuals with schizophrenia using steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs). The results indicated that people with schizophrenia exhibited decreased SSVEPs compared to controls across different frequencies and electrode locations, with null results being common. Most studies focused on frequencies within the alpha and beta bands, and investigations of the gamma band were rare.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Piergiuseppe Liuzzi, Bahia Hakiki, Francesca Draghi, Anna Maria Romoli, Rachele Burali, Maenia Scarpino, Francesca Cecchi, Antonello Grippo, Andrea Mannini
Summary: Brain-injured patients may enter a state of minimal or inconsistent awareness termed minimally conscious state (MCS), and the two groups with high-level behavioral responses (MCS+) or without (MCS-) have different rehabilitative paths. The study suggests that brain complexity can be used as a neural correlate of consciousness.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Manon Carriere, Roberto Llorens, Maria Dolores Navarro, Jose Olaya, Joan Ferri, Enrique Noe
Summary: Accurately describing the behavioral signs indicating transition from unresponsive wakefulness syndrome/vegetative state to minimally conscious state or emergence from minimally conscious state after severe brain injury is crucial for prognosis. This study examined a large sample of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness and identified the behavioral signs that led to a change in diagnosis, as well as the factors influencing this transition. The study found that transition to minimally conscious state was mostly indicated by visual fixation, localization to noxious stimulation, visual pursuit, and object manipulation. Emergence from minimally conscious state was characterized by functional communication and object use. Clinicians should pay attention to the visual and motor subscales to detect behavioral recovery.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dominique Morlet, Jeremie Mattout, Catherine Fischer, Jacques Luaute, Frederic Dailler, Perrine Ruby, Nathalie Andre-Obadia
Summary: Early functional evaluation and prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness is a major challenge. This study used electroencephalogram to detect voluntary attention and found that about 21% of patients responded positively to the test. The ability to sustain attention on demand predicted awakening within 6 months.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Camillo Porcaro, Idan Efim Nemirovsky, Francesco Riganello, Zahra Mansour, Antonio Cerasa, Paolo Tonin, Bobby Stojanoski, Andrea Soddu
Summary: This article reviews the importance and methods of using neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques to diagnose patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) and differentiate between Vegetative State/Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (VS/UWS) and Minimally Conscious State (MCS). By analyzing studies conducted within the last 10 years, the article summarizes the promising results achieved in improving diagnostic accuracy with these techniques and emphasizes the need to incorporate them into standard clinical practice, as well as the importance of data sharing.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Autumn Williams, Yinuo Zeng, Ziwei Li, Nitish Thakor, Romergryko G. Geocadin, Jay Bronder, Nirma Carballido Martinez, Eva K. Ritzl, Sung-Min Cho
Summary: Objective assessment of brain responsiveness is crucial for comatose patients on ECMO support, but current approaches are limited. We developed a quantitative algorithm to evaluate EEG reactivity in these patients, showing potential for improving diagnostic accuracy and serving as a foundation for future prediction tools.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Chuan Xu, Hangcheng Li, Jiaxin Gao, Lingling Li, Fangping He, Jie Yu, Yi Ling, Jian Gao, Jingqi Li, Lucia Melloni, Benyan Luo, Nai Ding
Summary: When listening to speech, cortical activity can track constructed linguistic units, and this can predict the outcome for patients with consciousness disorders. Statistical learning can occur in patients with minimal consciousness and may be used to induce neural plasticity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aurore Thibaut, Rajanikant Panda, Jitka Annen, Leandro R. D. Sanz, Lionel Naccache, Charlotte Martial, Camille Chatelle, Charlene Aubinet, Estelle A. C. Bonin, Alice Barra, Marie-Michele Briand, Benedetta Cecconi, Sarah Wannez, Johan Stender, Steven Laureys, Olivia Gosseries
Summary: A study investigated brain activity in non-responsive brain-injured patients, finding that a significant proportion of them showed partial preservation of brain metabolism, labeled as MCS*. Patients with MCS* had better outcomes, global functional connectivity, and grey matter preservation compared to those with VS/UWS. MCS* patients had lower brain metabolism in posterior brain regions compared to MCS patients.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Camile Bahi, Mona Irrmischer, Katrien Franken, George Fejer, Anna Schlenker, Jan Berend Deijen, Hessel Engelbregt
Summary: Breathwork, specifically connected breathing, has been found to affect brain activity and mood, and induce mystical experiences. This study examined its effects on electroencephalography (EEG) and mood in 20 healthy participants. The results showed decreased delta and theta frequencies in specific brain regions, increased gamma power in experienced practitioners, and improvements in mood, resembling experiences after medium to high doses of psilocybin. These findings suggest that breathwork has potential as a therapeutic modality to improve mental well-being.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Karli M. Nave, Erin E. Hannon, Joel S. Snyder
Summary: The study investigates whether steady state-evoked potentials reflect conscious perception of musical beat by manipulating listeners' perception contextually while measuring perceptual responses. The results confirm that auditory SSEPs reflect conscious perception of musical beat and that matching the original context can enhance beat perception.
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Evelyne Melotte, Audrey Maudoux, Rajanikant Panda, Jean-Francois Kaux, Aude Lagier, Roxanne Herr, Marion Belorgeot, Steven Laureys, Olivia Gosseries
Summary: This literature review examines the relationship between swallowing and consciousness. It reveals that the different components of swallowing can range from voluntary to reflex behaviors, and the level of consciousness can have an impact on various aspects of swallowing, such as frequency, initiation, efficacy, and coordination with respiration. The review suggests that the efficacy of the oral phase and the ability to receive exclusive oral feeding are the most reliable indicators of consciousness related to swallowing. However, more research is needed to determine if the pharyngeal phase and evoked cough are also signs of consciousness or solely cortical behaviors. Additionally, the lack of tools and techniques to assess and treat swallowing difficulties in patients with consciousness disorders is emphasized.
Article
Anesthesiology
Floriane Rousseaux, Rajanikant Panda, Clemence Toussaint, Aminata Bicego, Masachika Niimi, Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville, Anne-Sophie Nyssen, Steven Laureys, Olivia Gosseries, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
Summary: This study investigates the effects of virtual reality hypnosis (VRH) on pain management and explores the neural dynamics of pain modulation during VRH. The results show that VRH can decrease pain levels, increase dissociation, and modulate cerebral pain processing mechanisms. This suggests that VRH is an effective approach to reduce experimental pain.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Florence M. Aellen, Sigurd L. Alnes, Fabian Loosli, Andrea O. Rossetti, Frederic Zubler, Marzia De Lucia, Athina Tzovara
Summary: Assessing neural functions in coma after cardiac arrest is challenging. Prognostication based on visual expert scoring of physiological signals is subjective and leaves many patients with uncertain prognosis. This study suggests that convolutional neural networks can extract interpretable patterns of EEG responses to auditory stimuli during the first day of coma, predicting patients' chances of awakening and survival at 3 months.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Helene Fenter, Nawfel Ben-Hamouda, Jan Novy, Andrea O. Rossetti
Summary: The current EEG evaluation for prognosis after cardiac arrest focuses on identifying patients with poor prognosis, but has limited sensitivity in detecting patients with good prognosis. Modifying the definition of benign EEG may improve sensitivity in detecting patients with favorable outcomes.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Christopher Timmermann, Prisca R. Bauer, Olivia Gosseries, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Franz Vollenweider, Steven Laureys, Tania Singer, Elena Antonova, Antoine Lutz
Summary: Despite the growing interest in hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics, there is currently no unified framework for the study of non-ordinary states of consciousness (NSCs). We propose a neurophenomenological (NP) approach to the study of NSCs, which emphasizes their role in catalyzing transformation in clinical practice and improving our understanding of the relationship between subjective experience and neural dynamics.
TRENDS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Michele Angelo Colombo, Angela Comanducci, Silvia Casarotto, Chiara-Camilla Derchi, Jitka Annen, Alessandro Vigano, Alice Mazza, Pietro Davide Trimarchi, Melanie Boly, Matteo Fecchio, Olivier Bodart, Jorge Navarro, Steven Laureys, Olivia Gosseries, Marcello Massimini, Simone Sarasso, Mario Rosanova
Summary: Neurophysiological markers, such as EEG alpha power and spatio-spectral gradients, can be used to assess Disorders of Consciousness (DoC). Alpha power alone is not a reliable marker of consciousness and is suppressed in severe postanoxia cases. EEG spatio-spectral gradients, on the other hand, are a robust and generalizable marker that accurately stratify patients' consciousness, even in unresponsive cases. The clinical application of these markers can guide rehabilitation efforts.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ian Kuffer, Jan Novy, Andrea O. Rossetti
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the impact of loading doses of levetiracetam (LEV) on the prognosis of status epilepticus (SE). The results showed that lower doses of LEV loading were not associated with worse clinical outcomes, challenging current guidelines. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate this issue in depth.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Wilhelmina E. Radstake, Steven Jillings, Steven Laureys, Athena Demertzi, Stefan Sunaert, Angelique Van Ombergen, Floris L. Wuyts
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether fighter pilots, who are exposed to frequent g-level transitions and high g-levels, show differential functional characteristics compared to matched controls, indicative of neuroplasticity. The results showed altered functional connectivity in the brains of fighter pilots, suggesting adaptive coping strategies to altered sensorimotor demands during flight.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Estelle A. C. Bonin, Nicolas Lejeune, Emilie Szymkowicz, Vincent Bonhomme, Charlotte Martial, Olivia Gosseries, Steven Laureys, Aurore Thibaut
Summary: The assessment and management of pain and nociception in patients unable to communicate functionally is a challenge. There is a lack of clear guidelines for the assessment, management, and treatment of pain in these populations. This review aims to examine the current knowledge and suggest research directions to improve the management of severely brain damaged patients.
FRONTIERS IN SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Olivia Gosseries, Caroline Schnakers, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Charlotte Martial, Charlene Aubinet, Vanessa Charland-Verville, Aurore Thibaut, Jitka Annen, Didier Ledoux, Steven Laureys, Charlotte Gregoire
Summary: This study investigated the needs, quality of life, and emotional distress of caregivers of patients with severe brain damage. The results showed that health information and professional support were the most important needs, while involvement in care and health information were the most satisfied needs. The caregivers had low quality of life and high emotional distress. Therefore, adequate support should be provided to caregivers of patients with severe brain damage.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Valentin Loser, Jan Novy, Isabelle Beuchat, Andrea O. Rossetti
Summary: This study aims to characterize the frequency and clinico-biological characteristics of valproate-induced encephalopathy (VIE) in adult patients with status epilepticus (SE). The study found that VIE is relatively common and difficult to predict in SE patients, and clinical awareness of symptoms is necessary even without hyperammonemia, with consideration for valproate withdrawal in suspected cases.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Charlotte Martial, Anne-Lise Poirrier, Laurence Pottier, Helena Cassol, Sepehr Mortaheb, Rajanikant Panda, Mateo Lopez, Thibault Perrin, Antoine Boilevin, Olivia Gosseries, Steven Laureys
Summary: This study aimed to examine the effect of lemon essential oil inhalation on alertness level and brain functional connectivity. The study found that lemon fragrance inhalation increased alertness level but did not significantly differ from the control condition. It also revealed increased global functional connectivity in the thalamus and decreased connectivity in several cortical regions during lemon fragrance inhalation. The findings suggest that lemon essential oil inhalation can enhance alertness.
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Vincent Alvarez, Jan Novy, Isabelle Beuchat, Andrea O. Rossetti
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marie M. Vitello, Martin J. Rosenfelder, Paolo Cardone, Masachika Niimi, Lina Willacker, Aurore Thibaut, Nicolas Lejeune, Steven Laureys, Andreas Bender, Olivia Gosseries
Summary: This study aims to compare the effects of stimulating the frontal and parietal areas of the brain on patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). It will assess the short- and long-term effects of rTMS on consciousness recovery and develop biomarkers of responsiveness using EEG analysis. The study will also identify the optimal brain region for stimulation and characterize the neural correlates of its action.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Marie M. Vitello, Marie-Michele Briand, Didier Ledoux, Jitka Annen, Riem El Tahry, Steven Laureys, Didier Martin, Olivia Gosseries, Aurore Thibaut
Summary: This clinical trial aims to assess the therapeutic effects of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) and investigate the neural mechanisms underlying its action. The study will recruit 44 patients in the early post-injury period and compare the effects of active stimulation and sham stimulation on behavioral and neurophysiological measures. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the role and neural correlates of taVNS in the treatment of DoC patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jaakko Vallinoja, Timo Nurmi, Julia Jaatela, Vincent Wens, Mathieu Bourguignon, Helena Maenpaa, Harri Piitulainen
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of lesions related to spastic diplegic cerebral palsy on functional connectivity. Using multiple imaging modalities, the researchers found enhanced functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network of individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which was not correlated with hand coordination performance.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Francesca Ginatempo, Nicola Loi, John C. Rothwell, Franca Deriu
Summary: This study comprehensively investigated sensorimotor integration in the cranial-cervical muscles of healthy adults and found that the integration of sensory inputs with motor output is profoundly influenced by the type of sensory afferent involved and the functional role played by the target muscle.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
