Transcranial magnetic stimulation in disorders of consciousness.
We have reviewed the literature on transcranial magnetic stimulation studies in patients with brain death, coma, vegetative, minimally conscious, and locked-in states. Transcranial magnetic stimulation permits non-invasive study of brain excitability and may extend our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these disorders. However, use of this technique in severe brain damage remains methodologically ill-defined and must be further validated prior to clinical application in these challenging patients.
Coma Science Group, Cyclotron Research Centre and Neurology Department, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Natallia
N
Lapitska
Olivia
O
Gosseries
Valérie
V
Delvaux
Morten
M
Overgaard
Feldbaek
F
Nielsen
Alain
A
Maertens de Noordhout
Gustave
G
Moonen
Steven
S
Laureys
D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation