NEURO - Prognostication Using Late Somatosensory Evoked - Potentials

The alterations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal in the event-related desynchronisation/event-related synchronisation cortical signature following median nerve stimulation will be analysed and correlated with the emergence of clinical motor intention.

The detection of cognitive-motor dissociation will rely on classification algorithms that detect the presence of motor activity in EEG signals following median nerve stimulation (MNS). The EEG signals recorded immediately after MNS will be represented as one or more covariance matrices, and several classifiers, including Riemannian classifiers, will then be trained on these matrices to classify a state of rest or motor activity in the EEG.

Progression of the Clinical Rating Scale-Revised (CRS-R) score:

Standardized clinical scale assessing level of consciousness across six subdomains: auditory, visual, motor, oromotor/verbal, communication, and arousal.

Total score: 0 to 23

Interpretation:

Lower scores indicate absence or very low levels of consciousness (coma or vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome).

Intermediate scores indicate minimal but definite behavioral evidence of consciousness (minimally conscious state).

Higher scores indicate more complex behaviors consistent with a higher level of consciousness (emergence from the minimally conscious state).

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Standardized clinical scale assessing level of consciousness based on three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.

Total score: 3 to 15

Interpretation:

Lower scores indicate severe impairment of consciousness (coma or deep unconsciousness).

Intermediate scores indicate moderate impairment of consciousness. Higher scores indicate mild or no impairment of consciousness.

The functional neurological prognosis in the period subsequent to the event will be evaluated by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) Standardized clinical scale assessing functional outcome and disability following brain injury, based on overall level of independence and social functioning.

Total score: 1 to 8

Interpretation:

Lower scores indicate severe disability or death. Intermediate scores indicate moderate disability with some level of independence.

Higher scores indicate good recovery with return to independent functioning.

The functional neurological prognosis in the period subsequent to the event will be evaluated by the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) Standardized patient-reported outcome measure assessing health-related quality of life across eight domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health.

Score range: 0 to 100 for each domain (and summary scores)

Interpretation:

Lower scores indicate poorer health-related quality of life. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.