Despite being a fundamental aspect of human existence, there is still much we do not know about consciousness and how it functions. Scientists are now on the brink of a discovery using a new “map of consciousness” that could potentially aid in awakening coma patients.
Human consciousness is comprised of two crucial components: arousal and consciousness. A recent groundbreaking study published in the journal Scientific Translational Medicine by a team of scientists explores how these components intersect and combine.
The outcome of this study is an “Awakening map” that illustrates the connections within the brain, revealing where consciousness occurs. This map sheds light on previously unknown pathways between different brain regions.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital utilized MRI scans to examine three post-mortem human brains with a resolution of less than one millimeter.
This research unveiled hidden connections between key areas of the brain, forming what researchers refer to as the brain’s “default network.” This network is active when the brain is in a resting state of consciousness.
Similar to mapping out a route to a destination, researchers also identified essential pathways crucial for increasing self-awareness.
“Our objective was to map out the human brain networks crucial for consciousness and equip clinicians with better tools to detect, predict, and enhance recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries,” said lead author and associate professor at Harvard University, Brian Edlow.
This research has significant implications for coma patients, as the findings may help awaken connections in the brain that are vital for consciousness. The authors are currently conducting a clinical trial to investigate if reactivating the default network can restore consciousness in comatose patients.
According to senior author Hannah Kinney, the results of this study can serve as a unique map to enhance understanding of various neurological diseases associated with degenerative consciousness.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
