In our upcoming issue (BRAIN, Vol. 16, Issue 4 – December 2025), we are pleased to feature the article:
Díaz Palencia, J. L. (2025). Neuroentropy and consciousness: A meta-analytic review.
This comprehensive meta-analysis explores neuroentropy—the complexity or diversity of brain activity—as a quantitative marker of consciousness. Drawing from EEG, MEG, fMRI, intracranial recordings, and perturbation-based methods (such as the Perturbational Complexity Index), the review synthesizes findings from 2013–2023.
Key insights include:
Higher entropy during wakefulness, REM sleep, and psychedelic states.
Reduced entropy in anesthesia, deep sleep, and disorders of consciousness.
Clinical applications of entropy measures in anesthesia monitoring and detecting covert awareness.
The study highlights both the promise and the challenges of using brain complexity as an index for consciousness, making it a valuable contribution to the growing dialogue between neuroscience and artificial intelligence.
