Large-Scale Brain Simulation and Disorders of Consciousness. Mapping Technical and Conceptual Issues.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2018 Michele Farisco, Jeanette H Kotaleski, Kathinka Evers
Computer models and simulations are increasingly used to describe, explain, and predict brain function, aiming to integrate fragmented neuroscientific knowledge. This paper examines whether simulation technologies could plausibly emulate consciousness and assesses their potential clinical impact on disorders of consciousness such as coma, vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, and minimally conscious state. Despite technical limitations, the authors suggest that simulating neural correlates of consciousness may offer new solutions to practical clinical problems, particularly improving treatments for patients with these disorders.