Open AccessNeuroimaging characterization of recovery of impaired consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
Author(s) -
Sung Ho Jang,
Young Hyeon Kwon
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
neural regeneration research/neural regeneration research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.93
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1876-7958
pISSN - 1673-5374
DOI - 10.4103/1673-5374.251299
Subject(s) - persistent vegetative state , neuroscience , consciousness , neurorehabilitation , psychology , transcranial magnetic stimulation , diffusion mri , neuroimaging , level of consciousness , minimally conscious state , consciousness disorders , electroencephalography , anterior cingulate cortex , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , stimulation , cognition , developmental psychology , rehabilitation , radiology
Elucidation of critical brain areas or structures that are responsible for recovery of impaired consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness is important because it can provide information that is useful when developing therapeutic strategies for neurorehabilitation or neurointervention in patients with disorders of consciousness. In this review, studies that have demonstrated brain changes during recovery of impaired consciousness were reviewed. These studies used positron emission tomography, electroencephalography/transcranial magnetic stimulation, diffusion tensor tractography, and diffusion tensor tractography/electroencephalography. The majority of these studies reported on the importance of supratentorial areas or structures in the recovery of impaired consciousness. The important brain areas or structures that were identified were the prefrontal cortex, basal forebrain, anterior cingulate cortex, and parietal cortex. These results have a clinically important implication that these brain areas or structures can be target areas for neurorehabilitation or neurointervention in patients with disorders of consciousness. However, most of studies were case reports; therefore, further original studies involving larger numbers of patients with disorders of consciousness are warranted. In addition, more detailed information on the brain areas or structures that are relevant to the recovery of impaired consciousness is needed.