Claassen Lab: Disorders of Consciousness Lab (DoC-Lab)

Mission

Our mission is to develop accurate predictions of outcomes and to support the recovery process of unconscious critically ill patients. Applying machine learning algorithms, we focus on detecting covert consciousness in electrophysiological and imaging data of unresponsive patients and build prediction tools based on advanced statistical modeling. We aim to support the recovery process with innovative technology and work on brain computer interfaces to support communication with unresponsive patients.

Ongoing projects include:

• Determining the behavioral phenotype of patients with covert consciousness
• Elucidating the mechanistic underpinnings of covert consciousness using structural and functional MRI
• Determining the impact of aphasia on the ability to detect command following in unconscious appearing patients
• Investigating novel stimulation paradigms such as storytelling, music, and event related potentials to understand brain function in unresponsive appearing patients
• Medication and physical therapy interventions to support recovery of consciousness
• Brain computer interface development to connect to unresponsive appearing patients
• Outcome expectations and technology acceptance in patients, families, and health care workers

News feature:

HEALTH & MEDICINE
By David J. Craig

A Physician’s Journey into the Minds of Coma Patients

In studying people with severe brain injuries, Columbia neurologist Jan Claassen hopes to better identify those likely to regain consciousness. [read more]

Publications

For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov

Some People Who Appear to Be in a Coma May Actually Be Conscious. Scientific American 2022

‘It’s Gigantic’: A New Way to Gauge the Chances for Unresponsive Patients. New York Times. 2019