title: Measuring consciousness in coma and related states.
abstract: Consciousness is a prismatic and ambiguous concept that still eludes any universal definition. Severe acquired brain injuries resulting in a disorder of consciousness (DOC) provide a model from which insights into consciousness can be drawn. A number of recent studies highlight the difficulty in making a diagnosis in patients with DOC based only on behavioral assessments. Here we aim to provide an overview of how neuroimaging techniques can help assess patients with DOC. Such techniques are expected to facilitate a more accurate understanding of brain function in states of unconsciousness and to improve the evaluation of the patient's cognitive abilities by providing both diagnostic and prognostic indicators.
authors.affiliation: Carol Di Perri, Neuroradiology, National Neurological Institute C Mondino, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Perri
authors.affiliation: Carol Di Perri, Neuroradiology, National Neurological Institute C Mondino, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thibaut
authors.affiliation: Carol Di Perri, Neuroradiology, National Neurological Institute C Mondino, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Lizette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.affiliation: Carol Di Perri, Neuroradiology, National Neurological Institute C Mondino, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soddu
authors.affiliation: Carol Di Perri, Neuroradiology, National Neurological Institute C Mondino, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demertzi
authors.affiliation: Carol Di Perri, Neuroradiology, National Neurological Institute C Mondino, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laureys
keywords: Disorders of consciousness; Magnetic resonance imaging; Minimally conscious state; Neuroimaging; Transcranial magnetic stimulation/electroencephalography; Vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome