Steven Laureys

Steven Laureys is a prominent neurologist and neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of consciousness and coma recovery. He has made significant contributions to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying different states of consciousness, including coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and locked-in syndrome. Laureys heads the Coma Science Group, located at the GIGA Research Center and the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital of Liège, Belgium. His research focuses on the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques to explore the changes in brain function associated with these altered states of consciousness. Through his work, Laureys aims to improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients suffering from severe brain injuries and disorders of consciousness. One of Laureys' notable contributions is the development of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), which is widely used for assessing patients with severe brain injuries and monitoring their progress over time. This tool has been instrumental in advancing the care and understanding of patients in states of impaired consciousness. In addition to his clinical research, Steven Laureys is an advocate for the ethical considerations in the treatment of patients with disorders of consciousness. He has published extensively on the subject, contributing to both scientific literature and public discourse on the ethical, legal, and social implications of consciousness research. Laureys has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the prestigious Francqui Prize, often referred to as the Belgian Nobel Prize, for his contributions to the understanding of the human mind. His publications, which include hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books, have made him a leading figure in the field of consciousness studies. Laureys is also a sought-after speaker at international conferences, where he shares his insights and findings with the global scientific community.