Transcranial direct current stimulation unveils covert consciousness

Authors: Thibaut A; Chatelle C; Vanhaudenhuyse A; Martens G; Cassol H; Martial C; Carrière M; Barra A; Laureys S; Gosseries O. —

Thanks to modern neuroimaging techniques it appears that 30% of clinically unresponsive patients (i.e., unresponsive wakefulness syndrome – UWS) retain cerebral functions that are similar to patients in a minimally conscious state – MCS, as assessed by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). These patients are newly labeled as MCS* or with cognitive-motor dissociation. Even if the majority of them will regain some signs of consciousness, techniques to promote their recovery are still lacking.

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