LIFUP

 

Despite growing knowledge of key brain networks involved in consciousness, treatment options for patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) are very limited. In tandem with our effort to characterize the neural correlates of consciousness and predict outcome, our team is dedicated to leveraging recent discoveries to develop novel therapies that promote recovery from disorders of consciousness. Guided by this mission and building upon prior research that has demonstrated the importance of the thalamus (a key brain “hub” between the brainstem and cortex) in modulating consciousness, our team will be using transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) to reactivate the thalamus and promote recovery of consciousness. tFUS is a noninvasive method of delivering ultrasound stimulation to targeted brain structures. Our clinical trial of tFUS for DoC is supported by the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and is undertaken in collaboration with research teams at MUSC and UCLA.

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Selected LIFUP Publications

Li J, Curley WH, Guerin B, Dougherty DD, Dalca AV, Fischl B, Horn A, Edlow BL. Mapping the subcortical connectivity of the human default mode network. NeuroImage. 2021;118758. PMCID PMC8945548. [PubMed] [PlumX]