Non-Invasive Detection and Preservation of Neurocognitive Signals in the Peri-Death Period Using Brain-Computer Interface and Artificial Intelligence

NCT07477028 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: NeuroCogConPres-NoahTech
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

Terminal Illness; End-of-Life Care; Death; Brain Death; Death Anxiety; Consciousness; Electroencephalography; Gamma Oscillations; Near-Death Phenomena; Cognitive; Cognition; Memory; EEG; Severe Acute Trauma

Keywords

AI; BCI; Brain Computer Interface; Death; Gamma Oscillations; Cognition; Consciousness; Pefi-death; Brain death; Reservation; Memory; Life; Life experience; Transfer; Convergence

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 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.

  0-120 minutes after clinical death

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Successful Capture and Preservation of Neurocognitive Signals

  Up to 24 hours after clinical death

• Spectral Power of Neurocognitive Signals

  Up to 24 hours after clinical death

• Functional Connectivity Patterns

  Up to 24 hours after clinical death

• Cross-Frequency Coupling

  Up to 24 hours after clinical death

• Temporal Dynamics of Neurocognitive Signals

  Up to 24 hours after clinical death

Study Arms (1)

Peri-Death Cohort

Adults (≥18 years) with terminal illness or severe acute trauma who have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR/DNI) order and for whom surrogate informed consent has been obtained. Participants undergo continuous non-invasive high-density EEG monitoring using a wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) headset. Monitoring begins prior to expected clinical death and continues for up to 6 hours after cardiac arrest. This single prospective cohort is followed to characterize neurocognitive signals during the transition from clinical death through brain death to cellular death. No study intervention is administered.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults (≥18 years) with terminal illness or severe acute trauma who have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR/DNI) order and for whom a legally authorized surrogate has provided informed consent. Participants are recruited from hospice, palliative care units, and intensive care units at three U.S. academic medical centers. The study focuses on individuals with physician-estimated survival of 7 days or less. All participants receive continuous non-invasive EEG/BCI monitoring during the peri-death period.

You may qualify if:

• Adults ≥18 years with terminal illness or severe acute trauma
• Do-not-resuscitate (DNR/DNI) order in place
• Surrogate decision-maker available and willing to provide informed consent
• Expected survival ≤7 days (physician estimate)

You may not qualify if:

• Brain death already declared \> 24 hours prior to enrollment
• Contraindication to EEG/BCI headset placement (e.g., severe scalp injury)
• Patient lacks a legally authorized representative

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Noah Tech, Corp.: lead
• Columbia University: collaborator
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): collaborator
• Stanford University: collaborator
• City of Hope Medical Center: collaborator

Related Publications (4)

• Zinn S, et al. Parametrization of the dying brain: A case report from ICU bed-side EEG monitoring. NeuroImage. 2025;305:120980.

  RESULT

• Blundon EG, Gallagher RE, Ward LM. Electrophysiological evidence of preserved hearing at the end of life. Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 25;10(1):10336. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-67234-9.

  PMID: 32587364 RESULT

• Xu G, Mihaylova T, Li D, Tian F, Farrehi PM, Parent JM, Mashour GA, Wang MM, Borjigin J. Surge of neurophysiological coupling and connectivity of gamma oscillations in the dying human brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 May 9;120(19):e2216268120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2216268120. Epub 2023 May 1.

  PMID: 37126719 RESULT

• Vicente R, Rizzuto M, Sarica C, Yamamoto K, Sadr M, Khajuria T, Fatehi M, Moien-Afshari F, Haw CS, Llinas RR, Lozano AM, Neimat JS, Zemmar A. Enhanced Interplay of Neuronal Coherence and Coupling in the Dying Human Brain. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Feb 22;14:813531. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.813531. eCollection 2022.

  PMID: 35273490 RESULT

Related Links

• NoahTech Corp. Official Sponsor Website
• ClinicalTrials.gov Study Record

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Death; Brain Death; Necrophobia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Coma; Unconsciousness; Consciousness Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations

Central Study Contacts

Dr. Wallace Lynch, Ph.D.

CONTACT

6504895808; info@noahtech.life

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 6, 2026
• First Posted: March 17, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2035
• Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Data will become available beginning 12 months after the primary completion date and will remain available for a period of 5 years.
• Access Criteria: Qualified scientific researchers with an IRB-approved research proposal and relevant scientific background. All requests will be reviewed and approved by the study sponsor (NoahTech Corp.) and the responsible IRB. Access will be granted through a secure data-sharing platform after execution of a data use agreement.