Translational Neuroscience: Towards Clinical Applications for Disorders of Consciousness

Full course description

Translational Neuroscience aims at expanding our understanding of brain structure, function, and disease in order to finally translate this knowledge into clinical applications and novel diagnostics and therapies of nervous-system disorders.

After the students had been introduced with the main state-of-the-art neuroscience methods (EEG, TMS, [real-time] fMRI, DWI etc.) in previous courses and workshops, this core course focuses on the (multi-modal) application of these neuroscientific tools in one particular context: the neuroscientific investigation of disorders of consciousness and the development of related clinical neuroscientific applications (diagnostics and treatment).

After a general introduction to Translational Neuroscience, the students will be familiarised with the different disorders of consciousness. Then, the students will present and critically review several Translational Neuroscience (including brain-computer interface) studies focusing on improving diagnostics and treatment for patients with disorders of consciousness.

At the end of the course, we will discuss (un-)related novel ideas for Translational Neuroscience research.