title: Potential applications of concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging in acquired brain injury and disorders of consciousness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnostic assessment, prognosis and treatment monitoring in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) rest largely on behaviorally-based procedures. This approach can lead to misdiagnosis, inaccurate outcome prediction and inappropriate judgements regarding the effectiveness of treatment interventions. Concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may provide a biological measure of conscious awareness, aid clinicians in clinical decision-making and provide a treatment alternative for DoC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper reviews the use of TMS and fMRI in the assessment of patients with DoC and suggests potential applications for concurrent use of these procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital , Charlestown, MA , USA .
authors.forename: Yelena
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guller
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giacino
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods
keywords: Assessment; functional MRI; minimally conscious state; transcranial magnetic stimulation; vegetative state