Perfecting a Test of Consciousness – Creating a Large Database

Written By Tiny Blue Dot Foundation

INSTITUTION: MUSC Brain Stimulation Division, Psychiatry Department (Along with all other TBD labs)

PROJECT LEADERS:

  • MUSC – Dr. Mark George, Philipp Summers, Kevin Caulfield

  • Milan – Drs. Marcello Massimini, Mario Rosanova, Sylvia Casarotto

PROJECT DURATION: 3 years

After establishing similar equipment at all of the TBD sites, we are now creating a large database (n=100) of TMS-EEG recordings measuring the perturbational complexity index (PCI). This large database in awake alert adults will then serve as the comparator for using the PCI in situations of abnormal consciousness, such as during coma, or anesthesia. The hope is that eventually the PCI might become a useful practical test of the level of consciousness for predicting coma recovery or level of anesthesia.

Broader Impact:

This database is essential for moving the PCI test into further clinical and research use.

Tiny Blue Dot Foundation
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