Neuroscience of consciousness
January 1, 2023
Sidath Rankaduwa, Adrian M Owen
21 citations
The entropic brain theory (EBT) explains how psychedelics alter brain activity by increasing brain entropy, offering insights into both normal and altered states of consciousness. This theory has implications for debates about whether consciousness exists in levels or dimensions, whether the psychedelic state represents a higher level of consciousness, and whether psychedelics could treat disorders of consciousness such as minimally conscious or vegetative states. The article summarizes EBT's core principles and their relevance to a theoretical model of consciousness, emphasizing that the therapeutic value of psychedelics for such patients depends on set and setting.
Scientific reports
June 7, 2021
Evan Houldin, Zhuo Fang, Laura B Ray et al.
17 citations
During sleep, functional connections between brain networks shift in a directional manner. In non-REM (NREM) sleep, positive wake-like correlations often become negative and strengthen in the opposite direction, while in REM sleep they trend back toward positive correlations. This pattern supports the idea that NREM sleep involves altered, not merely reduced, functional connectivity. Many of these connections involve higher-order networks linked to cognition and consciousness, such as the default mode network, suggesting possible accompanying changes in cognitive and conscious states.
Annals of clinical and translational neurology
May 25, 2025
Charlotte Maschke, Loretta Norton, Catherine Duclos et al.
In patients with severe brain injury, the neurological wake-up test—a brief interruption of sedation to check responsiveness—often yields ambiguous or absent behavioral responses, limiting its prognostic value. Recording 128-channel EEG from 41 such patients during propofol sedation interruption revealed that brain responses, measured by EEG power, spatial ratios, and the spectral exponent, can show signs of waking even when behavior does not. Combining EEG with behavioral assessment improved predictions of survival, recovery of consciousness, and long-term functional outcomes, outperforming the predictions of attending physicians. EEG can complement the wake-up test to better inform clinicians, families, and treatment planning.