Resting state network activation and functional connectivity in the dying brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• The default mode network (DMN) and task-positive network (TPN) are crucial for internally-oriented thought and external engagement, respectively.
• Understanding brain network connectivity in unresponsive individuals at the end of life is vital for assessing awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate electrophysiological functional connectivity within the DMN and TPN in unresponsive hospice patients.
• To compare network connectivity in unresponsive patients with healthy controls and responsive hospice patients.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were obtained during resting state.
• Analysis focused on functional connectivity within the DMN and TPN in healthy controls, responsive hospice patients, and unresponsive hospice patients.

Main Results:

• DMN connectivity prevalence was similar across all groups.
• Overall functional connectivity was higher within the DMN than the TPN for all groups.
• The number of DMN connections exceeded TPN connections in controls and responsive patients, but not in unresponsive patients.

Conclusions:

• Some unresponsive patients may possess the functional architecture for internally-oriented thought.
• Resting-state DMN-TPN anti-correlations might persist in some unresponsive end-of-life patients.