Developing neurocomputational tools for the prediction and modulation of consciousness

开发用于预测和调节意识的神经计算工具

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-04220
• 负责人: Duclos, Catherine
• 金额: $ 2.77万
• 依托单位: Université de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=743495
• 关键词: Developing; neurocomputational; tools; prediction; modulation

It is generally agreed that conscious beings are aware of themselves, their surroundings, and their own perception. However, the neuroscientific study of human consciousness has been limited by assessment tools that rely primarily on the behavioral manifestations of consciousness (e.g. accurately responding to a command), rendering the contents and mechanisms of consciousness inaccessible in individuals who cannot respond (e.g., coma, vegetative state, sleep, anesthesia). What is more, it remains unclear why, despite shared behavioral and oscillatory properties, certain alterations in consciousness are pathological, while others are restorative for the brain. No single brain region has been identified as the seed of consciousness, which suggests that consciousness may emerge through the complex interactions of various brain functions. In this perspective, the brain can be conceived as a complex network of functionally interacting components, and can be studied through functional connectivity and graph theoretical analysis. Interestingly, states of altered consciousness encountered in critical care units and operating rooms have modifiable oscillatory and functional properties, and can serve as a window through which the neural underpinnings of human consciousness can be studied and manipulated. This research program aims to develop novel neurocomputational tools and devices that can improve our understanding of and manipulate consciousness in the human brain. Using electroencephalography (EEG), functional connectivity and graph theoretical analysis, a team of 3 doctoral, 4 masters and 9 undergraduate students will 1) characterize the unifying and distinguishing functional features of various states of human consciousness, 2) design an auditory stimulation system synchronized with brain activity to modulate consciousness level, and 3) develop a neuromonitoring technique to induce targeted alterations in consciousness based on the brain's functional dynamics. This program is of considerable importance to Canada, as the pursuit of these goals will position Canada as an international leader in consciousness science, and will lead to technical advances in electrophysiological signal processing and to the development of commercial products with broad commercial appeal including healthcare, health and wellness, and artificial intelligence. By elucidating neural communication at the network level, the results and novel tools from this research program may have a transformative impact on our understanding of and ability to control human consciousness, and on society's perceptions of unresponsive individuals and their experiences. Finally, this research provides an exciting program for trainees to gain interdisciplinary expertise in techniques of academic and industrial relevance, enabling significant contributions to Canadian society in fields related to neuroscience, signal processing, software development and machine learning.

人们普遍认为，有意识的生物能够意识到自己、周围环境和自己的感知。然而，人类意识的神经科学研究受到主要依赖于意识的行为表现（例如对命令的准确响应）的评估工具的限制，使得无法响应的个体无法了解意识的内容和机制（例如昏迷、植物人状态、睡眠、麻醉）。更重要的是，目前尚不清楚为什么尽管具有共同的行为和振荡特性，但意识的某些改变是病理性的，而另一些改变则对大脑有恢复作用。目前还没有任何一个大脑区域被确定为意识的种子，这表明意识可能是通过各种大脑功能的复杂相互作用而出现的。从这个角度来看，大脑可以被视为一个由功能相互作用的组件组成的复杂网络，并且可以通过功能连接和图论分析进行研究。有趣的是，在重症监护病房和手术室中遇到的意识改变状态具有可改变的振荡和功能特性，并且可以作为研究和操纵人类意识的神经基础的窗口。 该研究计划旨在开发新型神经计算工具和设备，以提高我们对人脑意识的理解和操纵。利用脑电图（EEG）、功能连通性和图论分析，由 3 名博士生、4 名硕士生和 9 名本科生组成的团队将 1）表征人类意识各种状态的统一和区分功能特征，2）设计与大脑活动同步的听觉刺激系统以调节意识水平，3）开发一种神经监测技术，根据大脑的功能诱导意识的有针对性的改变 动态。 该计划对加拿大非常重要，因为对这些目标的追求将使加拿大成为意识科学的国际领导者，并将导致电生理信号处理的技术进步以及具有广泛商业吸引力的商业产品的开发，包括医疗保健、健康和保健以及人工智能。通过阐明网络层面的神经通讯，该研究项目的结果和新颖工具可能会对我们对人类意识的理解和控制能力以及社会对反应迟钝的个人及其经历的看法产生变革性影响。最后，这项研究为学员提供了一个令人兴奋的计划，让他们获得学术和工业相关技术的跨学科专业知识，从而在神经科学、信号处理、软件开发和机器学习相关领域为加拿大社会做出重大贡献。