Modelling effects of consciousness disorders in brainstem computational model – Preliminary findings

Objectives

Disorders of consciousness are very big medical and social problem. Their variability, problems in precise definition and proper diagnosis make difficult assessing their causes and effectiveness of the therapy. In the paper we present our point of view to a problem of consciousness and its most common disorders.

Methods

For this moment scientists do not know exactly, if these disorders can be a result of simple but general mechanism, or a complex set of mechanisms, both on neural, molecular or system level. Presented in the paper simulations using neural network models, including biologically relevant consciousness’ modelling, help assess influence of specified causes.

Results

Nonmotoric brain activity can play important role within diagnostic process as a supplementary method for motor capabilities. Simple brain sensory (e.g. visual) processing of both healthy subject and people with consciousness disorders help checking hypotheses in the area of consciousness’ disorders’ mechanisms, including associations between consciousness and its neural correlates.

Conclusions

The results are promising. Project announced herein will be developed and its next result will be presented in subsequent articles.