Using brain activity measurements to assess consciousness recovery in ICU patients
Official title: Measuring Brain Complexity to Detect and Predict Recovery of Consciousness in the ICU
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11146410 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special device that uses magnetic waves to help doctors understand if critically ill patients who seem unresponsive might actually be aware and how likely they are to recover, which could change their treatment plans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $637,420 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS138257-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146410 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill patients in the ICU who have experienced severe brain injuries and exhibit acute disorders of consciousness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not critically ill or do not have acute disorders of consciousness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of a transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) device to diagnose and predict recovery of consciousness in critically ill patients suffering from acute disorders of consciousness. By measuring brain complexity, the study aims to identify patients who may appear unresponsive but are actually conscious, which could significantly impact treatment decisions. The research will involve multiple clinical sites and aims to provide a more accurate prognosis for patients with severe brain injuries. This approach is based on recent clinical guidelines that support the use of advanced neurotechnologies in assessing consciousness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and better treatment outcomes for patients with severe brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results using advanced neurotechnologies like TMS-EEG to detect covert consciousness, indicating that this approach is supported by emerging evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edlow, Brian L. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Edlow, Brian L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.