title: Long-lasting coma.
abstract: In this report, we describe the case of a patient who has remained in a comatose state for more than one year after a traumatic and hypoxic brain injury. This state, which we refer to as long-lasting coma (LLC), may be a disorder of consciousness with significantly different features from those of conventional coma, the vegetative state, or brain death. On the basis of clinical, neurophysiological and neuroimaging data, we hypothesize that a multilevel involvement of the ascending reticular activating system is required in LLC. This description may be useful for the identification of other patients suffering from this severe disorder of consciousness, which raises important ethical issues.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bagnato
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boccagni
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sant'Angelo
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fingelkurts
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fingelkurts
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliardo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galardi
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020207:Coma, Post-Head Injury / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose