Background: Recent electroencephalography (EEG) data indicate that the transition from clinical death to cellular death is marked by highly organized neurophysiological events, including significant surges in gamma-band power, cross-frequency coupling, and distinct spreading depolarization waves. This prospective, observational feasibility study utilizes rapid-deployment, high-density, noninvasive BCI hardware paired with proprietary AI analytics to detect, classify, and securely archive these terminal neurocognitive signals. Objectives: (1) Quantify transient gamma-band activity and cross-frequency connectivity post-clinical death; (2) Validate the efficacy of machine learning models for real-time signal classification in high-noise clinical environments; (3) Establish a highly secure, encrypted bio-informational archive of peri-life EEG data. Design: Prospective, open-label, multicenter, observational cohort (n\>20).
This prospective observational feasibility study will use non-invasive high-density EEG combined with a wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) and artificial intelligence analytics to detect, characterize, and archive neurocognitive signals in adult patients during the peri-death period. The study includes individuals with terminal illness or severe acute trauma who have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR/DNI) order. Building on recent human findings of gamma oscillation surges and cross-frequency coupling (Vicente et al., 2022; Xu et al., 2023), the study aims to quantify these signals, test AI-driven real-time classification, and explore technical feasibility for future signal preservation and continuity research. No therapeutic intervention is performed. All monitoring is conducted with surrogate consent under strict ethical oversight.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
20
Detection of Neurocognitive Signals After Clinical Death Prior to Brain Death
Presence or absence of organized neurocognitive signals and measurable brain activity, as recorded by non-invasive high-density electroencephalography (EEG), in the human brain during the period immediately following clinical death (cessation of circulation) but prior to declaration of brain death. The primary outcome will be reported as the proportion of participants with detectable organized neural activity (yes/no) meeting predefined signal thresholds.
Time frame: 0-120 minutes after clinical death
Successful Capture and Preservation of Neurocognitive Signals
Proportion of participants for whom real-time neurocognitive signals were successfully captured, recorded in high quality, and securely preserved for long-term storage using non-invasive high-density EEG and wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Reported as the number and percentage of participants with complete, artifact-free recordings suitable for analysis.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after clinical death
Spectral Power of Neurocognitive Signals
Quantitative analysis of spectral power of captured neurocognitive signals, measured in microvolts squared per hertz (µV²/Hz), across standard EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma).
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after clinical death
Functional Connectivity Patterns
Quantitative analysis of functional connectivity patterns among brain regions, measured using coherence and phase-locking value (PLV) indices, reported on a scale from 0 (no connectivity) to 1 (perfect connectivity).
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after clinical death
Cross-Frequency Coupling
Quantitative analysis of cross-frequency coupling between EEG frequency bands, measured using the modulation index (MI), reported as a unitless value ranging from 0 (no coupling) to 1 (maximum coupling).
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after clinical death
Temporal Dynamics of Neurocognitive Signals
Quantitative analysis of the temporal dynamics of neurocognitive signals, including signal duration and onset latency, measured in seconds (s) from the time of clinical death.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after clinical death
Informational Content of Neurocognitive Signals
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the potential informational content of captured neurocognitive signals, measured using permutation entropy, reported as a unitless value on a scale from 0 (completely regular/predictable) to 1 (completely random).
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after clinical death
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