Cerebral processing in the minimally conscious state

Neurology. 2004 Sep 14;63(5):916-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000137421.30792.9b.

Abstract

We studied a patient in a minimally conscious state using PET and cognitive evoked potentials. Cerebral metabolism was below half of normal values. Auditory stimuli with emotional valence (infant cries and the patient's own name) induced a much more widespread activation than did meaningless noise; the activation pattern was comparable with that previously obtained in controls. Cognitive potentials showed preserved P300 responses to the patient's own name.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Auditory Pathways / physiopathology
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Emotions
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Persistent Vegetative State / diagnostic imaging
  • Persistent Vegetative State / etiology
  • Persistent Vegetative State / physiopathology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Quadriplegia / complications
  • Reflex
  • Shock, Septic / complications
  • Speech

Substances

  • Glucose