Project R-15274

Unlocking Consciousness: Investigating the Synergistic Effects of Music and Neuromodulation in the Rehabilitation of Patients in Disorders of Consciousness (Research)

Patients with disorders of consciousness following severe acquired brain injuries represent a challenging population. This spectrum encompasses coma, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS), and minimally conscious state (MCS), varying in the exhibited level of consciousness. This population faces important challenges in terms of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Despite medical advancements, treatment options remain limited, necessitating innovative approaches. Music in the healthy population influences neural oscillations in the auditory-motor network in the brain and offers potential for therapeutic use in patients with DOC, but the outcomes are still limited. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) also modulates brain oscillations. We propose that by combining music with tACS, we could leverage the ability of tACS to modulate oscillations in the motor cortex thereby engaging the full auditory-motor pathway as in DOC patients music primarily activates the auditory system. Our project seeks to explore the synergistic effects of music and tACS on patients with DOC and understand the effects of this combination on the coupling of the auditory and motor systems. By focusing on auditory-motor coupling, we aim to unravel the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects observed, paving the way for improved treatment outcomes for patients with DOC.

01 November 2024 - 31 October 2028