Figure 2.

Therapeutic framework for identification and modulation of brain states. The framework consists of two parts: Identification and Modulation part that interact and support each other. Within each part, several levels of approaches can be distinguished, all of which are important for brain state research. From the top, the research focusing on brain state identification can utilize and develop techniques, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to capture the brain state, which can then be applied in various altered states of consciousness, such as disorders of consciousness (DoC) (I1), from which features can be extracted (I2), that can be evaluated on the relevancy for consciousness (I3). In the bottom part, modulation techniques, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS), can be identified to modulate these features, which could then be applied in patient populations (M1), where alterations in (c)overt signs of consciousness could be evaluated (M2), followed by an investigation on the whole-brain dynamics to examine brain state changes (M3). These two sides of the field are linked where successful manipulation of a feature, associated with amelioration of consciousness, could confirm its relevance as a feature of consciousness (M > I), and the other way around, relevant features could drive the direction of the neuromodulation field empirically (I > M). This framework is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of approaches and data types, but also provides enough structure to ensure consistency and rigour spanning from single unit recordings to whole-brain recordings in different levels of consciousness. It is adaptable to new discoveries and technologies as they emerge in various fields.