Date of Award
2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Neuroscience
Supervisor
Dr. Melvyn Goodale
Second Advisor
Dr. Seyed Mirsattari
Abstract
Functional connectivity within a resting state network of the brain, termed the default mode network (DMN), has been suggested to represent the neural correlate o f the stream of consciousness. Altered states of consciousness where awareness is thought to be absent could provide insight into the function o f the DMN. Here I examined the functional connectivity in the DMN in both reversible and irreversible coma using fMRI. Twelve healthy control subjects and thirteen comatose patients following cardiac arrest were included in the study. DMN connectivity was observed in healthy controls and two patients who regained consciousness. DMN connectivity was absent in the eleven patients who failed to regain consciousness. Functional connectivity in the DMN is preserved in the comatose patients who regained consciousness but absent in those who did not recover consciousness indicating that potentially the DMN is necessary but not sufficient to support consciousness.
Recommended Citation
Norton, Loretta, "AN FMRI STUDY OF DEFAULT MODE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY IN COMATOSE PATIENTS" (2010). Digitized Theses. 3670.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3670