HDIVC21: Experiencing Syncope in the Borderlands of Consciousness, Kevin R. Nelson, MD

Speaker

Kevin R. Nelson, MD

Description

Syncope, the transient loss of consciousness, is a common and burdensome problem. Although brain disorders uncommonly cause syncope, the brain is the principal symptomatic organ. During syncope, the brain survival reflexes and the brainstem switch that moves us between waking and REM consciousness can blend these conscious states bringing unusual experiences, including out of body.

Learning Objectives: 
1.    Understand why syncope is common and burdensome.
2.    Understand how lack of blood flow to the brain causes syncope.
3.    Realize the “black out “of syncope is due loss of blood flow to the eye and not the brain.
4.    Understand how conscious states can blend, creating hybrid states of consciousness.
5.    Express why atypical syncopal experiences are typical for hybrid states of consciousness.