AI Spots Hidden Signs of Consciousness in Comatose Patients Before Doctors Do

August 31, 2025

 

Dr. Jan Claassen

Jan Claassen, MD, FNCS

Jan Claassen, MD, FNCS, Chief of Critical Care and Hospitalist Neurology at Columbia University, speaks about the new study that used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to discover hidden consciousness in unresponsive coma patients. The study used tracking technology, called SeeMee, to track facial movement while they were given verbal instructions, such as to open their eyes or stick their tongue out. The results showed that, on average, SeeMee detected signs of hidden consciousness days earlier (4.1 for eye and 8.3 tongue movement) than the physicians could. Dr. Claassen said that “every day is potentially important,” and explained that it helped determine the course of treatment and allowed sooner rehabilitation, which greatly improves the physical recovery of the patient. [read more]  

Source: Scientific American

Also covered by the Scientific American special edition focusing on “The Conscious Brain” 
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