title: Cerebral processing of auditory and noxious stimuli in severely brain injured patients: differences between VS and MCS.
abstract: We review cerebral processing of auditory and noxious stimuli in minimally conscious state (MCS) and vegetative state (VS) patients. In contrast with limited brain activation found in VS patients, MCS patients show activation similar to controls in response to auditory, emotional and noxious stimuli. Despite an apparent clinical similarity between MCS and VS patients, functional imaging data show striking differences in cortical segregation and integration between these two conditions. However, in the absence of a generally accepted neural correlate of consciousness as measured by functional neuroimaging, clinical assessment remains the gold standard for the evaluation and management of severely brain damaged patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boly
authors.forename: Marie-Elisabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Faymonville
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peigneux
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lambermont
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Damas
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luxen
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamy
authors.forename: Gustave
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moonen
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maquet
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laureys
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology