M1 Levels of consciousness and coma

Title

The level of consciousness is modeled as the product of two components: thalamocortical activation coming from the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) and the information integration capacity of the cortical network (extent of effective connectivity W defined in E08). High activation without sufficient integration, or high integration without sufficient activation, does not produce full consciousness, analogous to how the vegetative state is clinically described (activation present, integration absent) versus deep sleep (partial integration, low activation). The Glasgow Scale (GCS) is modeled as a sigmoid function of the continuous level of consciousness, useful for mapping the model to clinical practice. After an acute injury, the level of consciousness follows a dynamic of deterioration and recovery, and global cerebral metabolism (extension of CMRO2 of E11) is reduced proportionally to the level of consciousness, which constitutes the physiological basis of monitoring techniques in intensive care.

ID:4273