Clinical Response to tDCS Depends on Residual Brain Metabolism and Grey Matter Integrity in Patients With Minimally Conscious State

摘要: Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was recently shown to promote recovery of voluntary signs consciousness in some patients minimally conscious state (MCS). However, it remains unclear why clinical improvement is only observed a subgroup patients. Objectives In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between tDCS responsiveness and neuroimaging data from MCS Methods Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) electroencephalography (EEG) were acquired 21 sub-acute chronic (8 responders) who subsequently ( Results Grey matter atrophy non-responders as compared with responders left DLPF cortex, medial-prefrontal cingulate hippocampi, part rolandic regions, thalamus. FDG-PET showed hypometabolism precuneus, EEG did not show any difference two groups. Conclusion Our findings suggest that transient increase following require grey preservation residual metabolic activity cortical subcortical brain areas known be involved attention working memory. These results further underline critical role long-range cortico-thalamic connections recovery, providing important information for guidelines on use disorders consciousness.