Consciousness-specific dynamic interactions of brain integration and functional diversity
Andrea I Luppi1,2, Michael M Craig1,2, Ioannis Pappas1,2,3
1Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Rd, CB2 0SP, Cambridge, UK.
Nature Communications
|October 12, 2019
Summary
Consciousness depends on brain integration and functional diversity. Loss of consciousness disrupts these patterns, particularly in cortical networks and the default mode network, offering a potential biomarker for unconscious states.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Theories of consciousness highlight information processing integration and diversity.
- Understanding brain function across different states of consciousness is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify consciousness-specific patterns of brain function.
- To investigate how brain networks change during loss of consciousness.
Main Methods:
- Utilized graph theory and dynamic functional connectivity.
- Analyzed resting-state functional MRI data from awake, anesthetized, and disorders of consciousness participants.
Main Results:
- Loss of consciousness reduced functional diversity and informational capacity in cortical networks during high integration.
- Thalamo-cortical disconnections appeared during states of higher segregation.
- Posterior default mode network showed reduced integration and diversity during unconsciousness.
Conclusions:
- Consciousness relies on spatio-temporal interactions between brain integration and functional diversity.
- Breakdown of these interactions may serve as a biomarker for loss of consciousness.
- Findings have potential clinical relevance for assessing consciousness.
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