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Alnagger N, Cardone P, Martial C, Laureys S, Annen J, Gosseries O. The current and future contribution of neuroimaging to the understanding of disorders of consciousness. Presse Med 2023; 52:104163. [PMID: 36796250 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2022.104163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) represent a group of severely brain-injured patients with varying capacities for consciousness in terms of both wakefulness and awareness. The current state-of-the-art for assessing these patients is through standardised behavioural examinations, but inaccuracies are commonplace. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques have revealed vast insights into the relationships between neural alterations, andcognitive and behavioural features of consciousness in patients with DoC. This has led to the establishment of neuroimaging paradigms for the clinical assessment of DoC patients. Here, we review selected neuroimaging findings on the DoC population, outlining key findings of the dysfunction underlying DoC and presenting the current clinical utility of neuroimaging tools. We discuss that whilst individual brain areas play instrumental roles in generating and supporting consciousness, activation of these areas alone is not sufficient for conscious experience. Instead, for consciousness to arise, we need preserved thalamo-cortical circuits, in addition to sufficient connectivity between distinctly differentiated brain networks, underlined by connectivity both within, and between such brain networks. Finally, we present recent advances and future perspectives in computational methodologies applied to DoC, supporting the notion that progress in the science of DoC will be driven by a symbiosis of these data-driven analyses, and theory-driven research. Both perspectives will work in tandem to provide mechanistic insights contextualised within theoretical frameworks which ultimately inform the practice of clinical neurology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji Alnagger
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paolo Cardone
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martial
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium; CERVO Research Center, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jitka Annen
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
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Norton L, Graham M, Kazazian K, Gofton T, Weijer C, Debicki D, Fernandez-Espejo D, Thenayan EA, Owen AM. Use of functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess cognition and consciousness in severe Guillain-Barré syndrome. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100347. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Galiotta V, Quattrociocchi I, D'Ippolito M, Schettini F, Aricò P, Sdoia S, Formisano R, Cincotti F, Mattia D, Riccio A. EEG-based Brain-Computer Interfaces for people with Disorders of Consciousness: Features and applications. A systematic review. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1040816. [PMID: 36545350 PMCID: PMC9760911 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1040816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) are clinical conditions following a severe acquired brain injury (ABI) characterized by absent or reduced awareness, known as coma, Vegetative State (VS)/Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (VS/UWS), and Minimally Conscious State (MCS). Misdiagnosis rate between VS/UWS and MCS is attested around 40% due to the clinical and behavioral fluctuations of the patients during bedside consciousness assessments. Given the large body of evidence that some patients with DoC possess "covert" awareness, revealed by neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques, they are candidates for intervention with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Objectives The aims of the present work are (i) to describe the characteristics of BCI systems based on electroencephalography (EEG) performed on DoC patients, in terms of control signals adopted to control the system, characteristics of the paradigm implemented, classification algorithms and applications (ii) to evaluate the performance of DoC patients with BCI. Methods The search was conducted on Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. The PRISMA guidelines were followed in order to collect papers published in english, testing a BCI and including at least one DoC patient. Results Among the 527 papers identified with the first run of the search, 27 papers were included in the systematic review. Characteristics of the sample of participants, behavioral assessment, control signals employed to control the BCI, the classification algorithms, the characteristics of the paradigm, the applications and performance of BCI were the data extracted from the study. Control signals employed to operate the BCI were: P300 (N = 19), P300 and Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEP; hybrid system, N = 4), sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs; N = 5) and brain rhythms elicited by an emotional task (N = 1), while assessment, communication, prognosis, and rehabilitation were the possible applications of BCI in DoC patients. Conclusion Despite the BCI is a promising tool in the management of DoC patients, supporting diagnosis and prognosis evaluation, results are still preliminary, and no definitive conclusions may be drawn; even though neurophysiological methods, such as BCI, are more sensitive to covert cognition, it is suggested to adopt a multimodal approach and a repeated assessment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Galiotta
- Neuroelectric Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Quattrociocchi
- Neuroelectric Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering “Antonio Ruberti”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia D'Ippolito
- Neuroelectric Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Mariagrazia D'Ippolito
| | - Francesca Schettini
- Neuroelectric Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,Servizio di Ausilioteca per la Riabilitazione Assistita con Tecnologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Aricò
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering “Antonio Ruberti”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Sdoia
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Formisano
- Neurorehabilitation 2 and Post-Coma Unit, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Febo Cincotti
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering “Antonio Ruberti”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Mattia
- Neuroelectric Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,Servizio di Ausilioteca per la Riabilitazione Assistita con Tecnologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Riccio
- Neuroelectric Imaging and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,Servizio di Ausilioteca per la Riabilitazione Assistita con Tecnologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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Porcaro C, Nemirovsky IE, Riganello F, Mansour Z, Cerasa A, Tonin P, Stojanoski B, Soddu A. Diagnostic Developments in Differentiating Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and the Minimally Conscious State. Front Neurol 2022; 12:778951. [PMID: 35095725 PMCID: PMC8793804 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.778951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
When treating patients with a disorder of consciousness (DOC), it is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible to generate individualized treatment programs. However, accurately diagnosing patients with DOCs is challenging and prone to errors when differentiating patients in a Vegetative State/Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (VS/UWS) from those in a Minimally Conscious State (MCS). Upwards of ~40% of patients with a DOC can be misdiagnosed when specifically designed behavioral scales are not employed or improperly administered. To improve diagnostic accuracy for these patients, several important neuroimaging and electrophysiological technologies have been proposed. These include Positron Emission Tomography (PET), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electroencephalography (EEG), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Here, we review the different ways in which these techniques can improve diagnostic differentiation between VS/UWS and MCS patients. We do so by referring to studies that were conducted within the last 10 years, which were extracted from the PubMed database. In total, 55 studies met our criteria (clinical diagnoses of VS/UWS from MCS as made by PET, fMRI, EEG and TMS- EEG tools) and were included in this review. By summarizing the promising results achieved in understanding and diagnosing these conditions, we aim to emphasize the need for more such tools to be incorporated in standard clinical practice, as well as the importance of data sharing to incentivize the community to meet these goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camillo Porcaro
- Department of Neuroscience and Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC)–National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Camillo Porcaro ; orcid.org/0000-0003-4847-163X
| | - Idan Efim Nemirovsky
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Francesco Riganello
- Sant'Anna Institute and Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation (RAN), Crotone, Italy
| | - Zahra Mansour
- Department of Information Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- Sant'Anna Institute and Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation (RAN), Crotone, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council, Messina, Italy
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Paolo Tonin
- Sant'Anna Institute and Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation (RAN), Crotone, Italy
| | - Bobby Stojanoski
- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Soddu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Radek L, Koskinen L, Sandman N, Laaksonen L, Kallionpää RE, Scheinin A, Rajala V, Maksimow A, Laitio T, Revonsuo A, Scheinin H, Valli K. On no man's land: Subjective experiences during unresponsive and responsive sedative states induced by four different anesthetic agents. Conscious Cogn 2021; 96:103239. [PMID: 34801782 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2021.103239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
To understand how anesthetics with different molecular mechanisms affect consciousness, we explored subjective experiences recalled after responsive and unresponsive sedation induced with equisedative doses of dexmedetomidine, propofol, sevoflurane, and S-ketamine in healthy male participants (N = 140). The anesthetics were administered in experimental setting using target-controlled infusion or vapouriser for one hour. Interviews conducted after anesthetic administration revealed that 46.9% (n = 46) of arousable participants (n = 98) reported experiences, most frequently dreaming or memory incorporation of the setting. Participants receiving dexmedetomidine reported experiences most often while S-ketamine induced the most multimodal experiences. Responsiveness at the end of anesthetic administration did not affect the prevalence or content of reported experiences. These results demonstrate that subjective experiences during responsive and unresponsive sedation are common and anesthetic agents with different molecular mechanisms of action may have different effects on the prevalence and complexity of the experiences, albeit in the present sample the differences between drugs were minute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Radek
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland.
| | - Lauri Koskinen
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, and Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland
| | - Nils Sandman
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, and Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland
| | - Lauri Laaksonen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Roosa E Kallionpää
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, and Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland
| | - Annalotta Scheinin
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Ville Rajala
- Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Anu Maksimow
- Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Timo Laitio
- Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Revonsuo
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, and Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy, School of Bioscience, University of Skövde, PO Box 408, 541 28 Skövde, Sweden
| | - Harry Scheinin
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine and Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland
| | - Katja Valli
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, and Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland; Department of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy, School of Bioscience, University of Skövde, PO Box 408, 541 28 Skövde, Sweden
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6
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Naro A, Pignolo L, Lucca LF, Calabrò RS. An action-observation/motor-imagery based approach to differentiate disorders of consciousness: what is beneath the tip of the iceberg? Restor Neurol Neurosci 2021; 39:181-197. [PMID: 33998559 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-201130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evaluation of motor imagery in persons with prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (pDOC) is a practical approach to differentiate between patients with Minimally Conscious State (MCS) and Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) and to identify residual awareness even in individuals with UWS. Investigating the influence of motor observation on motor imagery could be helpful in this regard. OBJECTIVE In order to corroborate the clinical diagnosis and identify misdiagnosed individuals, we used EEG recordings, to assess the influence of the low-level perceptual and motoric mechanisms on motor observation on motor imagery, taking into account the role of the high-level cognitive mechanisms in patients with pDOC. METHODS We assessed the influence of motor observation of walking in first-person or third-person view (by a video provision) on motor imagery of walking in the first-person view on the visual N190 (expression of motor observation processing), the readiness potential (RP) (expressing motor preparation), and the P3 component (high-level cognitive processes) in a sample of 10 persons with MCS, 10 with UWS, and 10 healthy controls (CG). Specifically, the video showed a first-view or third-view walk down the street while the participants were asked to imagine a first-view walking down the street. RESULTS CG showed greater N190 response (low-level sensorimotor processing) in the non-matching than in the matching condition. Conversely, the P3 and RP responses (high-level sensorimotor processing) were greater in the matching than in the non-matching condition. Remarkably, 6 out of 10 patients with MCS showed the preservation of both high- and low-level sensorimotor processing. One UWS patient showed responses similar to those six patients, suggesting a preservation of cognitively-mediated sensorimotor processing despite a detrimental motor preparation process. The remaining patients with MCS did not show diversified EEG responses, suggesting limited cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that identifying the low-level visual and high-level motor preparation processes in response to a simple influence of motor observation of motor imagery tasks potentially supports the clinical differential diagnosis of with MCS and UWS. This might help identify UWS patients which were misdiagnosed and who deserve more sophisticated diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Naro
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, Messina, Italy
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Covert Cognition in Disorders of Consciousness: A Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120930. [PMID: 33276451 PMCID: PMC7759773 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Covert cognition in patients with disorders of consciousness represents a real diagnostic conundrum for clinicians. In this meta-analysis, our main objective was to identify clinical and demographic variables that are more likely to be associated with responding to an active paradigm. Among 2018 citations found on PubMed, 60 observational studies were found relevant. Based on the QUADAS-2, 49 studies were considered. Data from 25 publications were extracted and included in the meta-analysis. Most of these studies used electrophysiology as well as counting tasks or mental imagery. According to our statistical analysis, patients clinically diagnosed as being in a vegetative state and in a minimally conscious state minus (MCS-) show similar likelihood in responding to active paradigm and responders are most likely suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In the future, multi-centric studies should be performed in order to increase sample size, with similar methodologies and include structural and functional neuroimaging in order to identify cerebral markers related to such a challenging diagnosis.
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Naro A, Calabrò RS. Towards New Diagnostic Approaches in Disorders of Consciousness: A Proof of Concept Study on the Promising Use of Imagery Visuomotor Task. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10100746. [PMID: 33080823 PMCID: PMC7603054 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: advanced paraclinical approaches using functional neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG) allow identifying patients who are covertly aware despite being diagnosed as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS). Bedside detection of covert awareness employing motor imagery tasks (MI), which is a universally accepted clinical indicator of awareness in the absence of overt behavior, may miss some of these patients, as they could still have a certain level of awareness. We aimed at assessing covert awareness in patients with UWS using a visuomotor-guided motor imagery task (VMI) during EEG recording. Methods: nine patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS), 11 patients in a UWS, and 15 healthy individuals (control group—CG) were provided with an VMI (imagine dancing while watching a group dance video to command), a simple-MI (imagine squeezing their right hand to command), and an advanced-MI (imagine dancing without watching a group dance video to command) to detect command-following. We analyzed the command-specific EEG responses (event-related synchronization/desynchronization—ERS/ERD) of each patient, assessing whether these responses were appropriate, consistent, and statistically similar to those elicited in the CG, as reliable markers of motor imagery. Results: All patients in MCS, all healthy individuals and one patient in UWS repeatedly and reliably generated appropriate EEG responses to distinct commands of motor imagery with a classification accuracy of 60–80%. Conclusions: VMI outperformed significantly MI tasks. Therefore, patients in UWS may be still misdiagnosed despite a rigorous clinical assessment and an appropriate MI assessment. It is thus possible to suggest that motor imagery tasks should be delivered to patients with chronic disorders of consciousness in visuomotor-aided modality (also in the rehabilitation setting) to greatly entrain patient’s participation. In this regard, the EEG approach we described has the clear advantage of being cheap, portable, widely available, and objective. It may be thus considered as, at least, a screening tool to identify the patients who deserve further, advanced paraclinical approaches.
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Song M, Yang Y, Yang Z, Cui Y, Yu S, He J, Jiang T. Prognostic models for prolonged disorders of consciousness: an integrative review. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3945-3961. [PMID: 32306061 PMCID: PMC11104990 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03512-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of consciousness (DoC) are acquired conditions of severe altered consciousness. During the past decades, some prognostic models for DoC have been explored on the basis of a variety of predictors, including demographics, neurological examinations, clinical diagnosis, neurophysiology and brain images. In this article, a systematic review of pertinent literature was conducted. We identified and evaluated 21 prognostic models involving a total of 1201 DoC patients. In terms of the reported accuracies of predicting the prognosis of DoC, these 21 models vary widely, ranging from 60 to 90%. Using improvement of consciousness level as favorable outcome criteria, we performed a quantitative meta-analysis, and found that the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the hybrid model that combined more than one technique were both superior to those of any single technique, including EEG and fMRI at the tasks and resting state. These results support the view that any single technique has its own advantages and limitations; and the integrations of multiple techniques, including diverse brain images and different paradigms, have the potential to improve predictive accuracy for DoC. Then, we provide methodological points of view and some prospects about future research. Totally, in comparison to a great many diagnostic methods for the DoC, the research of prognostic models is sparse and preliminary, still largely in its infancy with many challenges and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Song
- National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Zhengyi Yang
- National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yue Cui
- National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Shan Yu
- National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jianghong He
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 7th Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100070, China.
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 625014, China.
- The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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The use of functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the evaluation of patients with disorders of consciousness: a case report. Pol J Radiol 2020; 85:e118-e124. [PMID: 32322317 PMCID: PMC7172223 DOI: 10.5114/pjr.2020.93664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The management of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) constitutes a challenge for clinicians. Case report We present the case of a 66-year-old man who developed coma with subsequent DOC after a severe traumatic brain injury. Behavioural assessment constitutes the gold standard in the evaluation of patients with DOC. In the case presented herein the neuropsychological findings were ambiguous, and the patient underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine whether he was in a vegetative state or minimally conscious state. Three paradigms: passive, active, and resting state fMRI were used to study the brain activity in our patient. Conclusions fMRI provided reliable evidence of preserved minimal consciousness. The neuroimaging techniques used in our patient were vital for his further treatment.
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Kondziella D, Bender A, Diserens K, van Erp W, Estraneo A, Formisano R, Laureys S, Naccache L, Ozturk S, Rohaut B, Sitt JD, Stender J, Tiainen M, Rossetti AO, Gosseries O, Chatelle C. European Academy of Neurology guideline on the diagnosis of coma and other disorders of consciousness. Eur J Neurol 2020; 27:741-756. [PMID: 32090418 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 291] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with acquired brain injury and acute or prolonged disorders of consciousness (DoC) are challenging. Evidence to support diagnostic decisions on coma and other DoC is limited but accumulating. This guideline provides the state-of-the-art evidence regarding the diagnosis of DoC, summarizing data from bedside examination techniques, functional neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG). METHODS Sixteen members of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Scientific Panel on Coma and Chronic Disorders of Consciousness, representing 10 European countries, reviewed the scientific evidence for the evaluation of coma and other DoC using standard bibliographic measures. Recommendations followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The guideline was endorsed by the EAN. RESULTS Besides a comprehensive neurological examination, the following suggestions are made: probe for voluntary eye movements using a mirror; repeat clinical assessments in the subacute and chronic setting, using the Coma Recovery Scale - Revised; use the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness score instead of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the acute setting; obtain clinical standard EEG; search for sleep patterns on EEG, particularly rapid eye movement sleep and slow-wave sleep; and, whenever feasible, consider positron emission tomography, resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), active fMRI or EEG paradigms and quantitative analysis of high-density EEG to complement behavioral assessment in patients without command following at the bedside. CONCLUSIONS Standardized clinical evaluation, EEG-based techniques and functional neuroimaging should be integrated for multimodal evaluation of patients with DoC. The state of consciousness should be classified according to the highest level revealed by any of these three approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Kondziella
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Neurosciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - A Bender
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Therapiezentrum Burgau, Burgau, Germany
| | - K Diserens
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - W van Erp
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Department of Primary Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A Estraneo
- Neurology Unit, Santa Maria della Pietà General Hospital, Nola, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
| | - R Formisano
- Post-Coma Unit, Neurorehabilitation Hospital and Research Institution, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - S Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - L Naccache
- Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Faculté de Médecine Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - S Ozturk
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - B Rohaut
- Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Faculté de Médecine Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Neuro-ICU, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - J D Sitt
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Faculté de Médecine Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - J Stender
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Tiainen
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A O Rossetti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - O Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - C Chatelle
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Laboratory for NeuroImaging of Coma and Consciousness - Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Minimum Competency Recommendations for Programs That Provide Rehabilitation Services for Persons With Disorders of Consciousness: A Position Statement of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2020; 101:1072-1089. [PMID: 32087109 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Persons who have disorders of consciousness (DoC) require care from multidisciplinary teams with specialized training and expertise in management of the complex needs of this clinical population. The recent promulgation of practice guidelines for patients with prolonged DoC by the American Academy of Neurology, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), and National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) represents a major advance in the development of care standards in this area of brain injury rehabilitation. Implementation of these practice guidelines requires explication of the minimum competencies of clinical programs providing services to persons who have DoC. The Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group of the ACRM, in collaboration with the Disorders of Consciousness Special Interest Group of the NIDILRR-Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems convened a multidisciplinary panel of experts to address this need through the present position statement. Content area-specific workgroups reviewed relevant peer-reviewed literature and drafted recommendations which were then evaluated by the expert panel using a modified Delphi voting process. The process yielded 21 recommendations on the structure and process of essential services required for effective DoC-focused rehabilitation, organized into 4 categories: diagnostic and prognostic assessment (4 recommendations), treatment (11 recommendations), transitioning care/long-term care needs (5 recommendations), and management of ethical issues (1 recommendation). With few exceptions, these recommendations focus on infrastructure requirements and operating procedures for the provision of DoC-focused neurorehabilitation services across subacute and postacute settings.
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13
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Zasler ND, Aloisi M, Contrada M, Formisano R. Disorders of consciousness terminology: history, evolution and future directions. Brain Inj 2019; 33:1684-1689. [DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1656821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D. Zasler
- Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, LTD; Tree of Life Services, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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14
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Chen X, Tang C, Zhou H, Li Z. Effect of amantadine on vegetative state after traumatic brain injury: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Int Med Res 2018; 47:1015-1024. [PMID: 30514146 PMCID: PMC6381504 DOI: 10.1177/0300060518814127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe residual brain function and responsiveness to amantadine in a patient in a vegetative state (VS) following traumatic brain injury. METHOD We observed cerebral cortex activation in a 52-year-old man in a VS, and in a healthy individual using fMRI during passive listening and motor-imagery tasks. The patient received oral amantadine for 3 months. fMRI was repeated after treatment. RESULTS Activation around the left insular regions occurred during stimulation by a familiar voice, and activity in the left temporal and bi-occipital cortices occurred during stimulation by a familiar/unfamiliar voice. Activity in the bilateral frontal and parietal cortices occurred during the motor-imagination task. Brain cortex activation was reduced in the VS patient compared with the healthy volunteer. However, the patient responded to certain auditory stimuli and motor imagery, suggesting that he retained some intact auditory and motor cortical functions. fMRI scans after 3 months of treatment showed increased activation of brain areas corresponding to task instructions. CONCLUSION fMRI could be used to observe the effects of amantadine on brain function, and to aid the diagnosis and prognostic prediction in VS patients in terms of recovery and rehabilitation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Chen
- 1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - CheukYing Tang
- 2 Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- 3 Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhenlan Li
- 1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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15
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Kotchoubey B, Pavlov YG. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Brain Data and the Outcome in Disorders of Consciousness. Front Neurol 2018; 9:315. [PMID: 29867725 PMCID: PMC5954214 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A systematic search revealed 68 empirical studies of neurophysiological [EEG, event-related brain potential (ERP), fMRI, PET] variables as potential outcome predictors in patients with Disorders of Consciousness (diagnoses Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome [UWS] and Minimally Conscious State [MCS]). Data of 47 publications could be presented in a quantitative manner and systematically reviewed. Insufficient power and the lack of an appropriate description of patient selection each characterized about a half of all publications. In more than 80% studies, neurologists who evaluated the patients' outcomes were familiar with the results of neurophysiological tests conducted before, and may, therefore, have been influenced by this knowledge. In most subsamples of datasets, effect size significantly correlated with its standard error, indicating publication bias toward positive results. Neurophysiological data predicted the transition from UWS to MCS substantially better than they predicted the recovery of consciousness (i.e., the transition from UWS or MCS to exit-MCS). A meta-analysis was carried out for predictor groups including at least three independent studies with N > 10 per predictor per improvement criterion (i.e., transition to MCS versus recovery). Oscillatory EEG responses were the only predictor group whose effect attained significance for both improvement criteria. Other perspective variables, whose true prognostic value should be explored in future studies, are sleep spindles in the EEG and the somatosensory cortical response N20. Contrary to what could be expected on the basis of neuroscience theory, the poorest prognostic effects were shown for fMRI responses to stimulation and for the ERP component P300. The meta-analytic results should be regarded as preliminary given the presence of numerous biases in the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Kotchoubey
- Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yuri G Pavlov
- Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
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16
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Xie Q, Ni X, Yu R, Li Y, Huang R. Chronic disorders of consciousness. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:1277-1283. [PMID: 28810588 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, studies have provided greater insight into disorders of consciousness (DOC), also known as altered state of consciousness. Increased brain residual functions have been identified in patients with DOC due to the successful application of novel next-generation imaging technologies. Many unconscious patients have now been confirmed to retain considerable cognitive functions. It is hoped that greater insight regarding the psychological state of patients may be achieved through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging and brain-computer interfaces. However, issues surrounding the research and treatment of DOC remain problematic. These include differing opinions on the definition of consciousness, difficulties in diagnosis, assessment, prognosis and/or treatment, and newly emerging ethical, legal and social issues. To overcome these, appropriate care must be offered to patients with DOC by clinicians and families, as DOC patients may now be considered to live in more than just a vegetative state. The present article reviews the controversy surrounding the definition of consciousness and the reliability of novel technologies, prognostic prediction, communication with DOC patients and treatment methods. The ethical and social issues surrounding the treatment of DOC and future perspectives are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyou Xie
- Coma Research Group, Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen and Neurorehabilitation, Neuroscience Institute, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ni
- Coma Research Group, Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen and Neurorehabilitation, Neuroscience Institute, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Ronghao Yu
- Coma Research Group, Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen and Neurorehabilitation, Neuroscience Institute, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Yuanqing Li
- Center for Brain Computer Interfaces and Brain Information Processing, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510641, P.R. China
| | - Ruiwang Huang
- Centre for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, P.R. China
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Şerban CA, Barborică A, Roceanu AM, Mîndruță IR, Ciurea J, Zăgrean AM, Zăgrean L, Moldovan M. EEG Assessment of Consciousness Rebooting from Coma. THE PHYSICS OF THE MIND AND BRAIN DISORDERS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-29674-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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18
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Gosseries O, Pistoia F, Charland-Verville V, Carolei A, Sacco S, Laureys S. The Role of Neuroimaging Techniques in Establishing Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapy in Disorders of Consciousness. Open Neuroimag J 2016; 10:52-68. [PMID: 27347265 PMCID: PMC4894918 DOI: 10.2174/1874440001610010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-communicative brain damaged patients raise important clinical and scientific issues. Here, we review three major pathological disorders of consciousness: coma, the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and the minimally conscious state. A number of clinical studies highlight the difficulty in making a correct diagnosis in patients with disorders of consciousness based only on behavioral examinations. The increasing use of neuroimaging techniques allows improving clinical characterization of these patients. Recent neuroimaging studies using positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation can help assess diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment. These techniques, using resting state, passive and active paradigms, also highlight possible dissociations between consciousness and responsiveness, and are facilitating a more accurate understanding of brain function in this challenging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United-States
| | - Francesca Pistoia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Neurological Institute, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Carolei
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Neurological Institute, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Sacco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Neurological Institute, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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19
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Robles del Olmo B, García Collado D. Retos éticos del hallazgo de consciencia encubierta con neuroimagen en estados vegetativos. Med Clin (Barc) 2016; 146:218-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Magrassi L, Maggioni G, Pistarini C, Di Perri C, Bastianello S, Zippo AG, Iotti GA, Biella GEM, Imberti R. Results of a prospective study (CATS) on the effects of thalamic stimulation in minimally conscious and vegetative state patients. J Neurosurg 2016; 125:972-981. [PMID: 26745476 DOI: 10.3171/2015.7.jns15700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Deep brain stimulation of the thalamus was introduced more than 40 years ago with the objective of improving the performance and attention of patients in a vegetative or minimally conscious state. Here, the authors report the results of the Cortical Activation by Thalamic Stimulation (CATS) study, a prospective multiinstitutional study on the effects of bilateral chronic stimulation of the anterior intralaminar thalamic nuclei and adjacent paralaminar regions in patients affected by a disorder of consciousness. METHODS The authors evaluated the clinical and radiological data of 29 patients in a vegetative state (unresponsive wakefulness syndrome) and 11 in a minimally conscious state that lasted for more than 6 months. Of these patients, 5 were selected for bilateral stereotactic implantation of deep brain stimulating electrodes into their thalamus. A definitive consensus for surgery was obtained for 3 of the selected patients. All 3 patients (2 in a vegetative state and 1 in a minimally conscious state) underwent implantation of bilateral thalamic electrodes and submitted to chronic stimulation for a minimum of 18 months and a maximum of 48 months. RESULTS In each case, there was an increase in desynchronization and the power spectrum of electroencephalograms, and improvement in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores was found. Furthermore, the severity of limb spasticity and the number and severity of pathological movements were reduced. However, none of these patients returned to a fully conscious state. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limited number of patients studied, the authors confirmed that bilateral thalamic stimulation can improve the clinical status of patients affected by a disorder of consciousness, even though this stimulation did not induce persistent, clinically evident conscious behavior in the patients. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01027572 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Magrassi
- Neurochirurgia Dipartimento di Scienze Clinico-Chirurgiche, Diagnostiche e Pediatriche, University of Pavia-Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia
| | - Giorgio Maggioni
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Pavia
| | - Caterina Pistarini
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Pavia
| | - Carol Di Perri
- Neuroradiology Unit, Neurological Institute IRCCS Fondazione C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy.,Coma Science Group, Cyclotoron Research Center, University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Stefano Bastianello
- Neuroradiology Unit, Neurological Institute IRCCS Fondazione C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio G Zippo
- Istituto di Bioimmagini e Fisiologia Molecolare, CNR, Segrate; and
| | | | | | - Roberto Imberti
- Rianimazione 2° and.,Phase I Clinical Trial Unit and Experimental Therapy, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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21
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Comte A, Gabriel D, Pazart L, Magnin E, Cretin E, Haffen E, Moulin T, Aubry R. On the difficulty to communicate with fMRI-based protocols used to identify covert awareness. Neuroscience 2015; 300:448-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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22
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Bender A, Jox RJ, Grill E, Straube A, Lulé D. Persistent vegetative state and minimally conscious state: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic procedures. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 112:235-42. [PMID: 25891806 PMCID: PMC4413244 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2015.0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute brain damage can cause major disturbances of consciousness, ranging all the way to the persistent vegetative state (PVS), which is also known as "unresponsive wakefulness syndrome". PVS can be hard to distinguish from a state of minimal preserved consciousness ("minimally conscious state," MCS); the rate of misdiagnosis is high and has been estimated at 37-43%. In contrast, PVS is easily distinguished from brain death. We discuss the various diagnostic techniques that can be used to determine whether a patient is minimally conscious or in a persistent vegetative state. METHODS This article is based on a systematic review of pertinent literature and on a quantitative meta-analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of new diagnostic methods for the minimally conscious state. RESULTS We identified and evaluated 20 clinical studies involving a total of 906 patients with either PVS or MCS. The reported sensitivities and specificities of the various techniques used to diagnose MCS vary widely. The sensitivity and specificity of functional MRI-based techniques are 44% and 67%, respectively (with corresponding 95% confidence intervals of 19%-72% and 55%-77%); those of quantitative EEG are 90% and 80%, respectively (95% CI, 69%-97% and 66%-90%). EEG, event-related potentials, and imaging studies can also aid in prognostication. Contrary to prior assumptions, 10% to 24% of patients in PVS can regain consciousness, sometimes years after the event, but only with marked functional impairment. CONCLUSION The basic diagnostic evaluation for differentiating PVS from MCS consists of a standardized clinical examination. In the future, modern diagnostic techniques may help identify patients who are in a subclinical minimally conscious state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bender
- Department of Neurology, Therapiezentrum Burgau
- Neurological Clinic and Policlinic, Großhadern Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität
| | - Ralf J Jox
- Institute of Ethics, History and Theory of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Eva Grill
- Institute for Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München
| | - Andreas Straube
- Neurological Clinic and Policlinic, Großhadern Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität
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23
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Gosseries O, Zasler ND, Laureys S. Recent advances in disorders of consciousness: Focus on the diagnosis. Brain Inj 2014; 28:1141-50. [PMID: 25099018 DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2014.920522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, Cyclotron Research Centre and Neurology Department, University and University Hospital of Liege , Liege , Belgium
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24
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Napolitani M, Bodart O, Canali P, Seregni F, Casali A, Laureys S, Rosanova M, Massimini M, Gosseries O. Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with high-density EEG in altered states of consciousness. Brain Inj 2014; 28:1180-9. [DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2014.920524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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25
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Abstract
Significant advances have been made in the behavioral assessment and clinical management of disorders of consciousness (DOC). In addition, functional neuroimaging paradigms are now available to help assess consciousness levels in this challenging patient population. The success of these neuroimaging approaches as diagnostic markers is, however, intrinsically linked to understanding the relationships between consciousness and the brain. In this context, a combined theoretical approach to neuroimaging studies is needed. The promise of such theoretically based markers is illustrated by recent findings that used a perturbational approach to assess the levels of consciousness. Further research on the contents of consciousness in DOC is also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, Cyclotron Research Center and Neurology Department, University of Liege, and University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium; , , ,
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26
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Cruse D, Gantner I, Soddu A, Owen AM. Lies, damned lies and diagnoses: Estimating the clinical utility of assessments of covert awareness in the vegetative state. Brain Inj 2014; 28:1197-201. [PMID: 24911058 DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2014.920517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Damian Cruse
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario , London, ON , Canada
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27
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Assessing consciousness in coma and related states using transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 33:65-71. [PMID: 24393302 DOI: 10.1016/j.annfar.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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