A network approach to assessing cognition in disorders of consciousness

摘要: Objective: Conventional assessments of consciousness rely on motor responses to indicate awareness. However, overt behaviors may be absent or ambiguous in patients with disorders (DOC) resulting underrating capacity for cognition. fMRI during a silent picture-naming task was evaluated as an indicator command following when conventional methods are not sufficient. Methods: A total 10 and without evidence awareness, who met diagnostic criteria the minimally conscious state (MCS) (n = 5), vegetative (VS) 3), emerged from MCS (EMCS) 1), locked-in syndrome (LIS) participated this observational study. Results: The LIS EMCS engaged complete network essential language-related regions object-naming task. 2 VS demonstrated both partial preservation system. Patients scored highest Coma Recovery Scale-Revised. Conclusions: This study supports view that object naming can elicit brain activations DOC similar those observed healthy subjects following, stratified by completeness neural These results suggest activity language serve high-level cognition possibly volitional processes cannot discerned through behavioral assessment alone.