Research team, led by prof. Seong-Whan Lee, develops a biomarker for changes in levels of consciousness under sedation using functional connectivity measures
published in scientific reports

▲ Minji Lee (left, first author, doctoral student); Prof. Seong-Whan Lee (right, corresponding author)

The thesis, jointly developed by Prof. Seong-Whan Lee from the Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, and Minji Lee, Ph.D. student of the department, was published in Scientific Reports on December 1. The journal is published by the Nature Publishing Group.

Under the title of “Network Properties in Transitions of Consciousness during Propofol-induced Sedation,” the research team calculated the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI) as a functional connectivity measure and examined the changes in functional networks using graph theoretical analysis of high-density electroencephalography (EEG) under propofol-induced sedation. These results provide reliable EEG signatures of the transitions between consciousness and unconsciousness, which are expected to serve as a core technology for the real-time EEG monitoring of the levels of state transitions under sedation.

Prof. Lee reiterated the significance of the research, saying, “The previous biomarker based on behavioral responsiveness was not able to identify the exact transitions between consciousness and unconsciousness under anesthesia, which posed a high risk of the awakening of patients during operations. However, our research presents a new biomarker that can quantify changes in these state changes, which allows a precise sedation based on the levels of functional connectivity.”

This work was supported by the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Promotion (IITP) grant, which is funded by the Korean government as a part of a project by the Development of BCI based Brain and Cognitive Computing Technology for Recognizing User’s Intentions using Deep Learning.