Consciousness transitions during epilepsy seizures through the lens of integrated information theory.

Changes in a measure of integrated information (ΦAR) correlate with changes in reported states of consciousness during epileptic seizures. The measure was applied to intracranial EEG recordings from 6 patients with refractory epilepsy, examining inter-ictal, pre-ictal, and ictal periods. Analysis of electrode contacts outside the epileptogenic region showed that ΦAR dynamics significantly track the Consciousness Seizure Scale, suggesting integrated information is a marker of consciousness level transitions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Consciousness is one of the most complex aspects of human experience. Studying the mechanisms involved in the transitions among different levels of consciousness remains as one of the greatest challenges in neuroscience. In this study we use a measure of integrated information (ΦAR) to evaluate dynamic changes during consciousness transitions. We applied the measure to intracranial electroencephalography (SEEG) recordings collected from 6 patients that suffer from refractory epilepsy, taking into account inter-ictal, pre-ictal and ictal periods. We analyzed the dynamical evolution of ΦAR in groups of electrode contacts outside the epileptogenic region and compared it with the Consciousness Seizure Scale (CCS). We show that changes on ΦAR are significantly correlated with changes in the reported states of consciousness.