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Gallucci A, Varoli E, Del Mauro L, Hassan G, Rovida M, Comanducci A, Casarotto S, Lo Re V, Romero Lauro LJ. Multimodal approaches supporting the diagnosis, prognosis and investigation of neural correlates of disorders of consciousness: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:874-933. [PMID: 38140883 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The limits of the standard, behaviour-based clinical assessment of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) prompted the employment of functional neuroimaging, neurometabolic, neurophysiological and neurostimulation techniques, to detect brain-based covert markers of awareness. However, uni-modal approaches, consisting in employing just one of those techniques, are usually not sufficient to provide an exhaustive exploration of the neural underpinnings of residual awareness. This systematic review aimed at collecting the evidence from studies employing a multimodal approach, that is, combining more instruments to complement DoC diagnosis, prognosis and better investigating their neural correlates. Following the PRISMA guidelines, records from PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus were screened to select peer-review original articles in which a multi-modal approach was used for the assessment of adult patients with a diagnosis of DoC. Ninety-two observational studies and 32 case reports or case series met the inclusion criteria. Results highlighted a diagnostic and prognostic advantage of multi-modal approaches that involve electroencephalography-based (EEG-based) measurements together with neuroimaging or neurometabolic data or with neurostimulation. Multimodal assessment deepened the knowledge on the neural networks underlying consciousness, by showing correlations between the integrity of the default mode network and the different clinical diagnosis of DoC. However, except for studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography, the integration of more than one technique in most of the cases occurs without an a priori-designed multi-modal diagnostic approach. Our review supports the feasibility and underlines the advantages of a multimodal approach for the diagnosis, prognosis and for the investigation of neural correlates of DoCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Gallucci
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- NeuroMi (Neuroscience Center), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Varoli
- Neurology Service, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lilia Del Mauro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriel Hassan
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Rovida
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Comanducci
- IRCSS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Casarotto
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzina Lo Re
- Neurology Service, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Leonor J Romero Lauro
- NeuroMi (Neuroscience Center), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Plosnić G, Raguž M, Deletis V, Chudy D. Dysfunctional connectivity as a neurophysiologic mechanism of disorders of consciousness: a systematic review. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1166187. [PMID: 37539385 PMCID: PMC10394244 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1166187] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Disorders of consciousness (DOC) has been an object of numbers of research regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in last few decades. We believe that the DOC could be considered as a disconnection syndrome, although the exact mechanisms are not entirely understood. Moreover, different conceptual frameworks highly influence results interpretation. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the current knowledge regarding neurophysiological mechanisms of DOC and to establish possible influence on future clinical implications and usage. Methods We have conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines through PubMed and Cochrane databases, with studies being selected for inclusion via a set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Eighty-nine studies were included in this systematic review according to the selected criteria. This includes case studies, randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and observational studies with no control arms. The total number of DOC patients encompassed in the studies cited in this review is 1,533. Conclusion Connectomics and network neuroscience offer quantitative frameworks for analysing dynamic brain connectivity. Functional MRI studies show evidence of abnormal connectivity patterns and whole-brain topological reorganization, primarily affecting sensory-related resting state networks (RSNs), confirmed by EEG studies. As previously described, DOC patients are identified by diminished global information processing, i.e., network integration and increased local information processing, i.e., network segregation. Further studies using effective connectivity measurement tools instead of functional connectivity as well as the standardization of the study process are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Plosnić
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Raguž
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedran Deletis
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Darko Chudy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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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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Formaggio E, Del Felice A, Cavinato M, Storti SF, Arcaro C, Turco C, Salvi L, Avesani R, Piccione F, Manganotti P. EEG to Identify Attempted Movement in Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome. Clin EEG Neurosci 2020; 51:339-347. [PMID: 32248697 DOI: 10.1177/1550059420911525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of consciousness following severe brain-injury is challenging. Our hypothesis is that electroencephalography (EEG) can provide information on awareness, in terms of oscillatory activity and network task-related modifications, in people with disorders of consciousness. Similar results were obtained with neuroimaging techniques; we aim at demonstrating the use of EEG, which is low cost and routinely implemented, to the same goal. Nineteen-channel EEG was recorded in 7 persons with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and in 10 healthy subjects during the execution of active (attempted movement) and passive motor tasks as well as 2 mental imagery tasks. Event-related synchronization/desynchronization (ERS/ERD), coherence and network parameters were calculated in delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha1 (8-10 Hz), alpha2 (10-12 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz) ranges. In UWS subjects, passive movement induced a weak alpha2 ERD over contralateral sensorimotor area. During motor imagery, ERD was detected over the frontal and motor contralateral brain areas; during spatial imagery, ERS in lower alpha band over the right temporo-parietal regions was missing. In UWS, functional connectivity provided evidence of network disruption and isolation of the motor areas, which cannot dialog with adjacent network nodes, likely suggesting a diffuse structural alteration. Our findings suggest that people with a clinical diagnosis of UWS were able to modulate their brain activity when prompted to perform movement tasks and thus suggest EEG as a potential tool to support diagnosis of disorders of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Formaggio
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Del Felice
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Silvia F Storti
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Arcaro
- Fondazione Ospedale San Camillo IRCCS, Venice, Italy
| | | | - Luca Salvi
- Rehabilitation Service, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Renato Avesani
- Rehabilitation Service, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Manganotti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Clinical Neurology Unit, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy
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Billeri L, Filoni S, Russo EF, Portaro S, Militi D, Calabrò RS, Naro A. Toward Improving Diagnostic Strategies in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness: An Overview on the (Re-)Emergent Role of Neurophysiology. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10010042. [PMID: 31936844 PMCID: PMC7016627 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The differential diagnosis of patients with Disorder of Consciousness (DoC), in particular in the chronic phase, is significantly difficult. Actually, about 40% of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and the minimally conscious state (MCS) are misdiagnosed. Indeed, only advanced paraclinical approaches, including advanced EEG analyses, can allow achieving a more reliable diagnosis, that is, discovering residual traces of awareness in patients with UWS (namely, functional Locked-In Syndrome (fLIS)). These approaches aim at capturing the residual brain network models, at rest or that may be activated in response to relevant stimuli, which may be appropriate for awareness to emerge (despite their insufficiency to generate purposeful motor behaviors). For this, different brain network models have been studied in patients with DoC by using sensory stimuli (i.e., passive tasks), probing response to commands (i.e., active tasks), and during resting-state. Since it can be difficult for patients with DoC to perform even simple active tasks, this scoping review aims at summarizing the current, innovative neurophysiological examination methods in resting state/passive modality to differentiate and prognosticate patients with DoC. We conclude that the electrophysiologically-based diagnostic procedures represent an important resource for diagnosis, prognosis, and, therefore, management of patients with DoC, using advance passive and resting state paradigm analyses for the patients who lie in the “greyzones” between MCS, UWS, and fLIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Billeri
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.B.); (S.P.); (A.N.)
| | - Serena Filoni
- Padre Pio Foundation and Rehabilitation Centers, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy;
- Correspondence: (S.F.); (R.S.C.); Tel.: +39-090-6012-8166 (R.S.C.)
| | | | - Simona Portaro
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.B.); (S.P.); (A.N.)
| | | | - Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.B.); (S.P.); (A.N.)
- Correspondence: (S.F.); (R.S.C.); Tel.: +39-090-6012-8166 (R.S.C.)
| | - Antonino Naro
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.B.); (S.P.); (A.N.)
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Naro A, Leo A, Bruno R, Cannavò A, Buda A, Manuli A, Bramanti A, Bramanti P, Calabrò RS. Reducing the rate of misdiagnosis in patients with chronic disorders of consciousness: Is there a place for audiovisual stimulation? Restor Neurol Neurosci 2018; 35:511-526. [PMID: 28800340 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-170741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The patients with chronic Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) mostly present with extremely challenging differential diagnosis. The advanced analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals induced by brain stimulation paradigms may provide an appropriate approach to differentiate patients with DoC, besides the clinical assessment. OBJECTIVE This study was performed with an objective of identifying residual brain network perturbations following an innovative, non-invasive audiovisual stimulation protocol, which could be related to behavioral responsiveness in patients with DoC. METHODS The study comprised of ten healthy controls (HC), seven patients with Minimally Conscious State (MCS), and nine patients with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS). Both synchronous as well as asynchronous transorbital and transauricolar alternating current were employed as stimuli and their effects were measured in terms of functional and effective connectivity. RESULTS A more noticeable deterioration of long range connectivity patterns were found in patients with UWS than in those with MCS, with an exception of two patients with UWS, who showed connectivity values similar to those of MCS patients. CONCLUSION The audiovisual stimulation paradigm used in the present study may be employed as a supportive bedside tool for improving the differential diagnosis in patients with DoC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Naro
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Leo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
| | - Rocco Bruno
- Otorhinolaryngoiatry Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Cannavò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Buda
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
| | - Alfredo Manuli
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", c.da Casazza, Messina, Italy
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Kotchoubey B. Evoked and event-related potentials in disorders of consciousness: A quantitative review. Conscious Cogn 2017; 54:155-167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Naro A, Bramanti P, Leo A, Russo M, Calabrò RS. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Disorder of Consciousness: A Possible Way to Cut the Diagnostic Gordian Knot? Brain Topogr 2016; 29:623-44. [PMID: 27062669 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-016-0489-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) is a chronic disorder of consciousness (DOC) characterized by a lack of awareness and purposeful motor behaviors, owing to an extensive brain connectivity impairment. Nevertheless, some UWS patients may retain residual brain connectivity patterns, which may sustain a covert awareness, namely functional locked-in syndrome (fLIS). We evaluated the possibility of bringing to light such residual neural networks using a non-invasive neurostimulation protocol. To this end, we enrolled 15 healthy individuals and 26 DOC patients (minimally conscious state-MCS- and UWS), who underwent a γ-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We measured the effects of tACS on power and partial-directed coherence within local and long-range cortical networks, before and after the protocol application. tACS was able to specifically modulate large-scale cortical effective connectivity and excitability in all the MCS participants and some UWS patients, who could be, therefore, considered as suffering from fLIS. Hence, tACS could be a useful approach in supporting a DOC differential diagnosis, depending on the level of preservation of the cortical large-scale effective connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Naro
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" Messina, S.S.113, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" Messina, S.S.113, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Leo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" Messina, S.S.113, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Margherita Russo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" Messina, S.S.113, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo" Messina, S.S.113, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy.
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Calabrò RS, Naro A. Diagnosing Disorder of Consciousness: The Opening of Pandora's Box! INNOVATIONS IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 13:10-11. [PMID: 27354922 PMCID: PMC4911934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
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