Multimedia Library
A fast and general method to empirically estimate the complexity of brain responses to transcranial and intracranial stimulations
The Perturbational Complexity Index (PCI) was recently introduced to assess the capacity of thalamocortical circuits to engage in complex patterns of causal interactions. While showing high accuracy in detecting consciousness in brain-injured patients, PCI depends on elaborate experimental setups and offline processing, and has restricted applicability to other types of brain signals beyond transcranial magnetic stimulation and high-density EEG (TMS/hd-EEG) recordings.Theta network centrality correlates with tDCS response in disorders of consciousness
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has induced promising behavioral improvement, both in acute and chronic minimally conscious state (MCS - [1]) patients [2,3]. We previously defined a tDCS-responder as a patient who demonstrates a new sign of consciousness following stimulation, which was neither present beforehand, nor before or after the sham stimulation [2]. In a study investigating the metabolic and structural differences between DLPFC-tDCS-responders and non-responders, we have identified that tDCS-responders presented a preservation of brain metabolism and grey matter integrity under the stimulated area, but also in the thalamus and the precuneus, areas involved in consciousness recovery [4].Repeated stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex in patients in minimally conscious state: A sham-controlled randomized clinical trial
Patients in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS – recovery of eyes opening while no behavioral sign of consciousness [1]) and in minimally conscious state (MCS – recovery of reproducible purposeful behaviors [2]) have no access to conventional rehabilitation program, apart from pharmacological or passive rehabilitation treatments. A few clinical controlled trials using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the prefrontal cortex have shown promising results in patients in MCS [3–5].Clinical Response to tDCS Depends on Residual Brain Metabolism and Grey Matter Integrity in Patients With Minimally Conscious State
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was recently shown to promote recovery of voluntary signs of consciousness in some patients in minimally conscious state (MCS). However, it remains unclear why clinical improvement is only observed in a subgroup of patients.On the Cerebral Origin of EEG Responses to TMS: Insights From Severe Cortical Lesions
Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS/EEG) represents a valuable tool to probe cortical excitability and connectivity. Although several procedures have been devised to abolish TMS-related artifacts, direct evidence that it is possible to record TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) that purely reflect cortical responses to TMS are still lacking.Abnormal Corticospinal Excitability in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been frequently used to explore changes in the human motor cortex in different conditions, while the extent of motor cortex reorganization in patients in vegetative state (VS) (now known as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, UWS) and minimally conscious (MCS) states due to severe brain damage remains largely unknown.
