Brain states are frequently represented using a unidimensional scale measuring the richness of subjective experience (level of consciousness). This description assumes a mapping between the high-dimensional space of whole-brain configurations and the trajectories of brain states associated with changes in consciousness, yet this mapping and its properties remain unclear. We combine whole-brain modeling, data augmentation, and deep learning for dimensionality reduction to determine a mapping representing states of consciousness in a low-dimensional space, where distances parallel similarities between states. An orderly trajectory from wakefulness to patients with brain injury is revealed in a latent space whose coordinates represent metrics related to functional modularity and structure-function coupling, increasing alongside loss of consciousness. Finally, we investigate the effects of model perturbations, providing geometrical interpretation for the stability and reversibility of states. We conclude that conscious awareness depends on functional patterns encoded as a low-dimensional trajectory within the vast space of brain configurations.
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Author, co-author :
Perl, Yonatan Sanz; Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160
Pallavicini, Carla; Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160
Piccinini, Juan; Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160
Demertzi, Athina ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA CRC In vivo Imaging - Physiology of Cognition
Bonhomme, Vincent ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > > Service d'anesthésie - réanimation ; Anesthesia and Intensive Care Laboratory, GIGA-Consciousness, GIGA Institute,
Martial, Charlotte ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Panda, Rajanikant ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Alnagger, Naji ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Annen, Jitka ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Gosseries, Olivia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Ibañez, Agustin; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), CABA, Buenos Aires,
Laufs, Helmut; Department of Neurology and Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt am
Sitt, Jacobo D; Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Paris, France, INSERM U 1127, Paris, France, CNRS
Jirsa, Viktor K; Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille,
Kringelbach, Morten L; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, Center for Music in
Laureys, Steven ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > > Centre du Cerveau²
Deco, Gustavo; Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Universitat
Tagliazucchi, Enzo; Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160
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