Abstract
Disorders of consciousness are due to failure of the arousal system. In this review, the authors introduce the spectrum of disorders of consciousness and describe the structures, projections, and neurotransmitters involved in the generation and maintenance of arousal. Next, they discuss the neurologic diseases frequently associated with arousal failure. Evaluation of patients with disorders of arousal is summarized, including the neurologic exam, electrophysiological studies, biochemical testing, and imaging modalities. Finally, they review treatment options, including therapeutic hypothermia, medications, and deep brain and spinal cord stimulation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 91-109 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Seminars in Neurology |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 9 2013 |
Keywords
- arousal
- cardiac arrest
- coma
- consciousness
- intracranial hemorrhage
- ischemic stroke
- minimally conscious state
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- therapeutic hypothermia
- traumatic brain injury
- vegetative state
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology