Project work confirmed that outcomes will have a fundamental impact in neuroscience, providing key insights into consciousness, how to model, measure and alter it. Concretely:
¥ The interaction between theory, modelling, and experimental teams is showing extremely fruitful in defining physiology-based information-theory models of consciousness. The results can be verified through the relevant publications, among which is is worth pointing out the publication of “An algorithmic information theory of consciousness” and “Are there Islands of Awareness” papers.
¥ Important technological advances have been achieved by the development of 1) a computational brain model to be extensively used in consciousness studies in the future and 2) a closed-loop prototype for transcranial Electrical Stimulation. Successfully technology transfer to the clinical domain has been achieved by deploying the closed-loop system for University of Liege to conduct a study in which 12 patients are expected to be treated.
¥ We have implemented different machine learning solutions to provide Decision Support Systems in consciousness studies. A DSSs for the prediction of the outcome of tDCS treatment on DOC has been developed together with diverse diagnosis DSSs for DOCs. We believe that the DSS for tDCS outcome prediction will become an important tool not only for tDCS DOC treatments, but beyond in clinical trials of drug-based treatments to further stratify the population to be treated and therefore optimize treatment time and cost.
¥ Starlab has recently acquired a service to support a clinical trial related to the effects of the psychoactive substance in cannabis. Here it has been of paramount importance the technology advancement in Luminous, concretely in measurements of complexity based on LZW, which has been requested to be incorporated as endpoint in the study by our client.
¥ Clinical impact is based on experimental advances with respect to the SoA. This have been most clearly achieved on the outstanding clinical applications to: 1) alter oscillatory brain activity in sleep through a combination of different types of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, 2) provide a more accurate diagnosis of Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) through numerous novel metrics, 3) enhance consciousness levels in DOC at individual level through the electrical stimulation of the consciousness network, and 4) automatically titrate anesthetics in real-time titration. Project developed techniques open as well a new window into the study of brain and consciousness in utero.
¥ One important part of the impact was the engagement of the general public in discussions on project goals and achievements. In this context three events for the general public have been organized: Oxford Public Café, Liege Coma Day, and the Future Tech Week event at Starlab. Moreover, a survey has been conducted on the usage of NIBS for DOC treatment involving the general public.
Although Luminous has not provided an answer for the fundamental question of what consciousness is, or definitive technologies to measure and control it, we believe it has made important contributions to the field from many angles. We are convinced that it will provide a firmer foothold for future research programs with our shared vision and mission.
