The locked-in syndrome: a syndrome looking for a therapy.
A review of the scientific literature on locked-in syndrome (LIS) is offered. The clinical features, diagnosis and prognosis of LIS are reviewed, and methods regarding the differential diagnosis of LIS with severe disorders of consciousness are considered. Effective treatment, physiotherapy, and methods of communication are reviewed. Although progress in the field of communication for patients with LIS is promising, it is concluded that there are new possibilities to be pursued and that a more positive outlook in the area of professional care of the patients, as well as more extensive imaginative research will facilitate new and positive strategies for this syndrome.
León-Carrión
José
J
Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Seville, Spain. Leoncarrion@us.es
van Eeckhout
Philippe
P
Domínguez-Morales
María Del Rosario
Mdel R
D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013070:Speech Therapy; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D001971:Bromocriptine