1
|
Mancuso M, Mencarelli L, Abbruzzese L, Basagni B, Zoccolotti P, Scarselli C, Capitani S, Neri F, Santarnecchi E, Rossi S. Modulation of Corticospinal Excitability during Action Observation in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness. Brain Sci 2024; 14:371. [PMID: 38672020 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain imaging studies have recently provided some evidence in favor of covert cognitive processes that are ongoing in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) (e.g., a minimally conscious state and vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome) when engaged in passive sensory stimulation or active tasks such as motor imagery. In this exploratory study, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex to assess modulations of corticospinal excitability induced by action observation in eleven patients with DoC. Action observation is known to facilitate corticospinal excitability in healthy subjects, unveiling how the observer's motor system maps others' actions onto her/his motor repertoire. Additional stimuli were non-biological motion and acoustic startle stimuli, considering that sudden and loud acoustic stimulation is known to lower corticospinal excitability in healthy subjects. The results indicate that some form of motor resonance is spared in a subset of patients with DoC, with some significant difference between biological and non-biological motion stimuli. However, there was no covariation between corticospinal excitability and the type of DoC diagnosis (i.e., whether diagnosed with VS/UWS or MCS). Similarly, no covariation was detected with clinical changes between admission and discharge in clinical outcome measures. Both motor resonance and the difference between the resonance with biological/non-biological motion discrimination correlated with the amplitude of the N20 somatosensory evoked potentials, following the stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist (i.e., the temporal marker signaling the activation of the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex). Moreover, the startle-evoking stimulus produced an anomalous increase in corticospinal excitability, suggesting a functional dissociation between cortical and subcortical circuits in patients with DoC. Further work is needed to better comprehend the conditions in which corticospinal facilitation occurs and whether and how they may relate to individual clinical parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Mancuso
- Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine Unit, NHS-USL Tuscany South-Est, 58100 Grosseto, Italy
- Tuscany Rehabilitation Clinic, 52025 Montevarchi, Italy
| | - Lucia Mencarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Neuroscienze, Siena Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation (Si-BIN) Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Neri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Neuroscienze, Siena Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation (Si-BIN) Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Simone Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Neuroscienze, Siena Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation (Si-BIN) Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
De Luca R, Gangemi A, Bonanno M, Fabio RA, Cardile D, Maggio MG, Rifici C, Vermiglio G, Di Ciuccio D, Messina A, Quartarone A, Calabrò RS. Improving Neuroplasticity through Robotic Verticalization Training in Patients with Minimally Conscious State: A Retrospective Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:319. [PMID: 38671971 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In disorders of consciousness, verticalization is considered an effective type of treatment to improve motor and cognitive recovery. Our purpose is to investigate neurophysiological effects of robotic verticalization training (RVT) in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS). Thirty subjects affected by MCS due to traumatic or vascular brain injury, attending the intensive Neurorehabilitation Unit of the IRCCS Neurolesi (Messina, Italy), were included in this retrospective study. They were equally divided into two groups: the control group (CG) received traditional verticalization with a static bed and the experimental group (EG) received advanced robotic verticalization using the Erigo device. Each patient was evaluated using both clinical scales, including Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LCF) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and quantitative EEG pre (T0) and post each treatment (T1). The treatment lasted for eight consecutive weeks, and sessions were held three times a week, in addition to standard neurorehabilitation. In addition to a notable improvement in clinical parameters, such as functional (FIM) (p < 0.01) and cognitive (LCF) (p < 0.01) outcomes, our findings showed a significant modification in alpha and beta bands post-intervention, underscoring the promising effect of the Erigo device to influence neural plasticity and indicating a noteworthy difference between pre-post intervention. This was not observed in the CG. The observed changes in alpha and beta bands underscore the potential of the Erigo device to induce neural plasticity. The device's custom features and programming, tailored to individual patient needs, may contribute to its unique impact on brain responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria De Luca
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Gangemi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Mirjam Bonanno
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosa Angela Fabio
- Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Davide Cardile
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Maggio
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Carmela Rifici
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuliana Vermiglio
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Ciuccio
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Messina
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Quartarone
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Cda Casazza, SS 113, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kitano T, Giacino JT, Bodien Y, Waters A, Hioki D, Shinya J, Nakayama T, Ohgi S. Reliability and validation of the Japanese version of the coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R). Brain Inj 2024; 38:249-259. [PMID: 38329043 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2309549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE This study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). METHODS Subjects included 59 patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) due to acquired brain injury. To validate test-retest reliability, Evaluator A assessed the CRS-R twice on the same day (A1, A2). To examine inter-rater reliability, Evaluators A (A2) and B (B) assessed the CRS-R without a time interval. To test concurrent validity, Evaluator A (A1) assessed the CRS-R, Japan Coma Scale (JCS), and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) consecutively. To validate diagnostic accuracy, we evaluated the degree of agreement between A1 and A2 and between A2 and B in their diagnosis of DOC by CRS-R. RESULTS The test-retest (ρ = 0.92) and inter- (ρ = 0.98) reliability of CRS-R were excellent" and Concurrent validity of CRS-R with JCS (ρ = -0.82) and GCS (ρ = 0.92) were high. Results of DOC diagnosis were consistent for 48/59 cases (κ = 0.82) for A1 and A2 and for 54/59 cases (κ = 0.92) for A2 and B. CONLCUSION The Japanese version of the CRS-R may be as reliable and valid as the original English and other language versions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Kitano
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Joseph T Giacino
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yelena Bodien
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Abigail Waters
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daichi Hioki
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Junko Shinya
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Teiji Nakayama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Shohei Ohgi
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Studies, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Saporito G, Gentili L, Cacchio A, Casalena A, Necozione S, Ricci A, Venturoni F, Marinangeli F, Pistoia F. Assessment of Frequency and Predictive Value of Comorbidities in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness in the Acute Setting. Neurotrauma Rep 2024; 5:267-276. [PMID: 38515549 PMCID: PMC10956526 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2023.0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Medical comorbidities are frequent in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) and their impact on outcomes is under investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate patients with DoC in the acute stage and the influence of comorbidities. Patients admitted to intensive care units and neurological units with a diagnosis of coma, vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), and minimally conscious state (MCS) were investigated through the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Coma Recovery Scale - Revised (CRS-R) and the Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCos). Forty-three patients (21 men and 22 women; mean age at admission: 60.4 ± 21.0) were included in the study. The most frequent diagnosis at admission was coma (72%) followed by VS/UWS (14%) and MCS (14%). The most frequent brain injury was subarachnoid hemorrhage (46%). At the 6-month follow-up, 19 patients had died (44%), 15 showed a full recovery of consciousness (35%), 7 were in a condition of emergence from MCS (16%), and 2 showed a persistent VS/UWS (5%). Forty-two (98%) patients showed at least one comorbidity: presence of life-support device (92.9%), anemia (76.2%), arterial hypertension (66,7%), hydrocephalus (45.3%), and respiratory infections (45.2%) were those most frequently reported. At the Multivariable Cox regression, the presence of renal disease (hazard ratio [HR] 33.37; p = 0.033) and malnutrition (HR 14.52; p = 0.001) were predictors of missed recovery of full consciousness. Although adverse outcomes are generally predicted by the severity of brain damage, the presence of medical comorbidities in an acute phase could influence outcomes and long-term prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Saporito
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Intensive Care, and Pain Treatment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luca Gentili
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Mazzini Hospital, Teramo, Italy
| | - Angelo Cacchio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Intensive Care, and Pain Treatment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Necozione
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Intensive Care, and Pain Treatment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ricci
- Department of Neurosurgery, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Federica Venturoni
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Mazzini Hospital, Teramo, Italy
| | - Franco Marinangeli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Intensive Care, and Pain Treatment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Treatment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Pistoia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Intensive Care, and Pain Treatment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Department of Neurology, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aklepi G, Manolovitz B, Robayo LE, Sarafraz A, Blandino CF, Arwari B, Sobczak E, Bass D, Ghamasaee P, Bolaños Saavedra A, Samano D, Massad N, Kottapally M, Merenda A, Dib S, Dietrich WD, Rundek T, O'Phelan KH, Claassen J, Walker MF, Alkhachroum A. Covert Tracking to Immersive Stimuli in Traumatic Brain Injury Subjects With Disorders of Consciousness. J Neurotrauma 2024; 41:646-659. [PMID: 37624747 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Eye tracking assessments are clinician dependent and can contribute to misclassification of coma. We investigated responsiveness to videos with and without audio in traumatic brain injury (TBI) subjects using video eye-tracking (VET). We recruited 20 healthy volunteers and 10 unresponsive TBI subjects. Clinicians were surveyed whether the subject was tracking on their bedside assessment. The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) was also performed. Eye movements in response to three different 30-second videos with and without sound were recorded using VET. The videos consisted of moving characters (a dancer, a person skateboarding, and Spiderman). Tracking on VET was defined as visual fixation on the character and gaze movement in the same direction of the character on two separate occasions. Subjects were classified as "covert tracking" (tracking using VET only), "overt tracking" (VET and clinical exam by clinicians), and "no tracking". A k-nearest-neighbors model was also used to identify tracking computationally. Thalamocortical connectivity and structural integrity were evaluated with EEG and MRI. The ability to obey commands was evaluated at 6- and 12-month follow-up. The average age was 29 (± 17) years old. Three subjects demonstrated "covert tracking" (CRS-R of 6, 8, 7), two "overt tracking" (CRS-R 22, 11), and five subjects "no tracking" (CRS-R 8, 6, 5, 6, 7). Among the 84 tested trials in all subjects, 11 trials (13%) met the criteria for "covert tracking". Using the k-nearest approach, 14 trials (17%) were classified as "covert tracking". Subjects with "tracking" had higher thalamocortical connectivity, and had fewer structures injured in the eye-tracking network than those without tracking. At follow-up, 2 out of 3 "covert" and all "overt" subjects recovered consciousness versus only 2 subjects in the "no tracking" group. Immersive stimuli may serve as important objective tools to differentiate subtle tracking using VET.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Aklepi
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Brian Manolovitz
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Linda E Robayo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Amin Sarafraz
- Center for Computational Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Brian Arwari
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Evie Sobczak
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Danielle Bass
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Pardis Ghamasaee
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ana Bolaños Saavedra
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Samano
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Nina Massad
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mohan Kottapally
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Amedeo Merenda
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Salim Dib
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - W Dalton Dietrich
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Kristine H O'Phelan
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jan Claassen
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark F Walker
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ayham Alkhachroum
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ma X, Qi Y, Xu C, Weng Y, Yu J, Sun X, Yu Y, Wu Y, Gao J, Li J, Shu Y, Duan S, Luo B, Pan G. How well do neural signatures of resting-state EEG detect consciousness? A large-scale clinical study. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26586. [PMID: 38433651 PMCID: PMC10910334 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The assessment of consciousness states, especially distinguishing minimally conscious states (MCS) from unresponsive wakefulness states (UWS), constitutes a pivotal role in clinical therapies. Despite that numerous neural signatures of consciousness have been proposed, the effectiveness and reliability of such signatures for clinical consciousness assessment still remains an intense debate. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, inconsistent findings are observed about the effectiveness of diverse neural signatures. Notably, the majority of existing studies have evaluated neural signatures on a limited number of subjects (usually below 30), which may result in uncertain conclusions due to small data bias. This study presents a systematic evaluation of neural signatures with large-scale clinical resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) signals containing 99 UWS, 129 MCS, 36 emergence from the minimally conscious state, and 32 healthy subjects (296 total) collected over 3 years. A total of 380 EEG-based metrics for consciousness detection, including spectrum features, nonlinear measures, functional connectivity, and graph-based measures, are summarized and evaluated. To further mitigate the effect of data bias, the evaluation is performed with bootstrap sampling so that reliable measures can be obtained. The results of this study suggest that relative power in alpha and delta serve as dependable indicators of consciousness. With the MCS group, there is a notable increase in the phase lag index-related connectivity measures and enhanced functional connectivity between brain regions in comparison to the UWS group. A combination of features enables the development of an automatic detector of conscious states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiulin Ma
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, and the Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Qi
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, and the Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yijie Weng
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuyun Sun
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yamei Yu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuehao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Mingzhou Brain Rehabilitation Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingqi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Mingzhou Brain Rehabilitation Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, and the Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Benyan Luo
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, and the Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Pan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, and the Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lissak IA, Young MJ. Limitation of life sustaining therapy in disorders of consciousness: ethics and practice. Brain 2024:awae060. [PMID: 38387081 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical conversations surrounding the continuation or limitation of life-sustaining treatments (LLST) are both challenging and tragically necessary for patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) following severe brain injury. Divergent cultural, philosophical, and religious perspectives contribute to vast heterogeneity in clinical approaches to LLST - as reflected in regional differences and inter-clinician variability. Here we provide an ethical analysis of factors that inform LLST decisions among patients with DoC. We begin by introducing the clinical and ethical challenge and clarifying the distinction between withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining therapy. We then describe relevant factors that influence LLST decision-making including diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty, perception of pain, defining a "good" outcome, and the role of clinicians. In concluding sections, we explore global variation in LLST practices as they pertain to patients with DoC and examine the impact of religious perspectives on approaches to LLST. Understanding and respecting the cultural and religious perspectives of patients and surrogates is essential for protecting patient autonomy and advancing goal-concordant care during critical moments of medical decision making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- India A Lissak
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michael J Young
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Young MJ, Fecchio M, Bodien YG, Edlow BL. Covert cortical processing: a diagnosis in search of a definition. Neurosci Conscious 2024; 2024:niad026. [PMID: 38327828 PMCID: PMC10849751 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Historically, clinical evaluation of unresponsive patients following brain injury has relied principally on serial behavioral examination to search for emerging signs of consciousness and track recovery. Advances in neuroimaging and electrophysiologic techniques now enable clinicians to peer into residual brain functions even in the absence of overt behavioral signs. These advances have expanded clinicians' ability to sub-stratify behaviorally unresponsive and seemingly unaware patients following brain injury by querying and classifying covert brain activity made evident through active or passive neuroimaging or electrophysiologic techniques, including functional MRI, electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation-EEG, and positron emission tomography. Clinical research has thus reciprocally influenced clinical practice, giving rise to new diagnostic categories including cognitive-motor dissociation (i.e. 'covert consciousness') and covert cortical processing (CCP). While covert consciousness has received extensive attention and study, CCP is relatively less understood. We describe that CCP is an emerging and clinically relevant state of consciousness marked by the presence of intact association cortex responses to environmental stimuli in the absence of behavioral evidence of stimulus processing. CCP is not a monotonic state but rather encapsulates a spectrum of possible association cortex responses from rudimentary to complex and to a range of possible stimuli. In constructing a roadmap for this evolving field, we emphasize that efforts to inform clinicians, philosophers, and researchers of this condition are crucial. Along with strategies to sensitize diagnostic criteria and disorders of consciousness nosology to these vital discoveries, democratizing access to the resources necessary for clinical identification of CCP is an emerging clinical and ethical imperative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Young
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 101 Merrimac Street, Suite 310, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Matteo Fecchio
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 101 Merrimac Street, Suite 310, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yelena G Bodien
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 101 Merrimac Street, Suite 310, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 1st Ave, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Brian L Edlow
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 101 Merrimac Street, Suite 310, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th St, Charlestown, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Covert consciousness is a state of residual awareness following severe brain injury or neurological disorder that evades routine bedside behavioral detection. Patients with covert consciousness have preserved awareness but are incapable of self-expression through ordinary means of behavior or communication. Growing recognition of the limitations of bedside neurobehavioral examination in reliably detecting consciousness, along with advances in neurotechnologies capable of detecting brain states or subtle signs indicative of consciousness not discernible by routine examination, carry promise to transform approaches to classifying, diagnosing, prognosticating and treating disorders of consciousness. Here we describe and critically evaluate the evolving clinical category of covert consciousness, including approaches to its diagnosis through neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and novel behavioral tools, its prognostic relevance, and open questions pertaining to optimal clinical management of patients with covert consciousness recovering from severe brain injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Young
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian L Edlow
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Yelena G Bodien
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Slomine B, Molteni E. Pediatric disorders of consciousness: Considerations, controversies, and caveats. NeuroRehabilitation 2024; 54:129-139. [PMID: 38251068 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric disorders of consciousness (PedDOC) encompass conditions that may occur following very severe traumatic or other forms of acquired brain injury sustained during childhood. As in adults, PedDOC is described as a disturbance of awareness and/or responsiveness. PedDOC is a complex condition that requires specialized care, infrastructures, and technologies. PedDOC poses many challenges to healthcare providers and caregivers during recovery and throughout development. In this commentary, we intend to highlight some considerations, controversies, and caveats on the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of PedDOC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Slomine
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erika Molteni
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Schnakers C. Assessing consciousness and cognition in disorders of consciousness. NeuroRehabilitation 2024; 54:11-21. [PMID: 38251070 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Detecting willful cognition in these patients is known to be challenging due to the patients' motor disabilities and high vigilance fluctuations but also due to the lack of expertise and use of adequate tools to assess these patients in specific settings. This review will discuss the main disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury, how to assess consciousness and cognition in these patients, as well as the challenges and tools available to overcome these challenges and reach an accurate diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Schnakers
- Research Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, 255 E. Bonita Avenue, Pomona, CA 91769, USA. Tel.: +1 909 596 7733 (ext. 3038); E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Robbins NM, Bernat JL. Ethical issues of nosology in disorders of consciousness. NeuroRehabilitation 2024; 54:3-9. [PMID: 38277312 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The current classification scheme for severe disorders of consciousness (DoC) has several shortcomings. First, there is no consensus on how to incorporate patients with covert consciousness. Second, there is a mismatch between the definitions of severe DoC, based on consciousness, and the diagnosis of these same DoC, which is based on observable motoric responsiveness. Third, current categories are grouped into large heterogeneous syndromes which share phenotype, but do not incorporate underlying pathophysiology. Here we discuss several ethical issues pertaining to the current nosology of severe DoC. We conclude by proposing a revised nosology which addresses these shortcomings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel M Robbins
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - James L Bernat
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Thibaut A, Aloisi M, Dreessen J, Alnagger N, Lejeune N, Formisano R. Neuro-orthopaedic assessment and management in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A review. NeuroRehabilitation 2024; 54:75-90. [PMID: 38251069 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following a severe acquired brain injury, neuro-orthopaedic disorders are commonplace. While these disorders can impact patients' functional recovery and quality of life, little is known regarding the assessment, management and treatment of neuro-orthopaedic disorders in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). OBJECTIVE To describe neuro-orthopaedic disorders in the context of DoC and provide insights on their management and treatment. METHODS A review of the literature was conducted focusing on neuro-orthopaedic disorders in patients with prolonged DoC. RESULTS Few studies have investigated the prevalence of spastic paresis in patients with prolonged DoC, which is extremely high, as well as its correlation with pain. Pilot studies exploring the effects of pharmacological treatments and physical therapy show encouraging results yet have limited efficacy. Other neuro-orthopaedic disorders, such as heterotopic ossification, are still poorly investigated. CONCLUSION The literature of neuro-orthopaedic disorders in patients with prolonged DoC remains scarce, mainly focusing on spastic paresis. We recommend treating neuro-orthopaedic disorders in their early phases to prevent complications such as pain and improve patients' recovery. Additionally, this approach could enhance patients' ability to behaviourally demonstrate signs of consciousness, especially in the context of covert awareness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Thibaut
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Marta Aloisi
- Post-Coma Unit and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Joëlle Dreessen
- Centre Hospitalier Neurologique William Lennox, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Naji Alnagger
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Lejeune
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- Centre Hospitalier Neurologique William Lennox, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Rita Formisano
- Post-Coma Unit and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liang Z, Lan Z, Wang Y, Bai Y, He J, Wang J, Li X. The EEG complexity, information integration and brain network changes in minimally conscious state patients during general anesthesia. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:066030. [PMID: 38055962 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad12dc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective.General anesthesia (GA) can induce reversible loss of consciousness. Nonetheless, the electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of patients with minimally consciousness state (MCS) during GA are seldom observed.Approach.We recorded EEG data from nine MCS patients during GA. We used the permutation Lempel-Ziv complexity (PLZC), permutation fluctuation complexity (PFC) to quantify the type I and II complexities. Additionally, we used permutation cross mutual information (PCMI) and PCMI-based brain network to investigate functional connectivity and brain networks in sensor and source spaces.Main results.Compared to the preoperative resting state, during the maintenance of surgical anesthesia state, PLZC decreased (p< 0.001), PFC increased (p< 0.001) and PCMI decreased (p< 0.001) in sensor space. The results for these metrics in source space are consistent with sensor space. Additionally, node network indicators nodal clustering coefficient (NCC) (p< 0.001) and nodal efficiency (NE) (p< 0.001) decreased in these two spaces. Global network indicators normalized average path length (Lave/Lr) (p< 0.01) and modularity (Q) (p< 0.05) only decreased in sensor space, while the normalized average clustering coefficient (Cave/Cr) and small-world index (σ) did not change significantly. Moreover, the dominance of hub nodes is reduced in frontal regions in these two spaces. After recovery of consciousness, PFC decreased in the two spaces, while PLZC, PCMI increased. NCC, NE, and frontal region hub node dominance increased only in the sensor space. These indicators did not return to preoperative levels. In contrast, global network indicatorsLave/LrandQwere not significantly different from the preoperative resting state in sensor space.Significance.GA alters the complexity of the EEG, decreases information integration, and is accompanied by a reconfiguration of brain networks in MCS patients. The PLZC, PFC, PCMI and PCMI-based brain network metrics can effectively differentiate the state of consciousness of MCS patients during GA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhu Liang
- Institute of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhilei Lan
- Institute of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Wang
- Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai 519031, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianghong He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Institute of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China
- Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhou Y, Sun Y, He P, Xiong Q, Kang J, Tang Y, Feng Z, Dong X. The efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for patients with minimally conscious state: a sham-controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1323079. [PMID: 38156271 PMCID: PMC10752952 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1323079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potentially effective neuromodulation technique for addressing neurological disorders, including disorders of consciousness. Expanding upon our prior clinical study, which demonstrated the superior effectiveness of a 4-week taVNS treatment in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS) compared to those in a vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness state, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of taVNS in individuals with MCS through a sham-controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial. Methods A cohort of 50 adult patients (male = 33, female = 17) diagnosed with a MCS were randomly assigned to either the active taVNS (N = 25) or sham taVNS (N = 25) groups. The treatment period lasted for 4 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period. The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were administered at baseline and weekly during the initial 4 weeks. Additionally, the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) was used to assess the patients' functional abilities via telephone at week 12. Furthermore, various neurophysiological measures, including electroencephalogram (EEG), upper-limb somatosensory evoked potentials (USEP), brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), and P300 event-related potentials (P300), were employed to monitor changes in brain activity and neural conduction pathways. Results The scores for the active taVNS group in the CRS-R and GCS showed greater improvement over time compared to the sham taVNS group (CRS-R: 1-week, Z = -1.248, p = 0.212; 2-week, Z = -1.090, p = 0.276; 3-week, Z = -2.017, p = 0.044; 4-week, Z = -2.267, p = 0.023. GCS: 1-week, Z = -1.325, p = 0.185; 2-week, Z = -1.245, p = 0.213; 3-week, Z = -1.848, p = 0.065; 4-week, Z = -1.990, p = 0.047). Additionally, the EEG, USEP, BAEP, and P300 also demonstrated significant improvement in the active taVNS group compared to the sham taVNS group at week 4 (EEG, Z = -2.086, p = 0.037; USEP, Z = -2.014, p = 0.044; BAEP, Z = -2.298, p = 0.022; P300 amplitude, Z = -1.974, p = 0.049; P300 latency, t = 2.275, p = 0.027). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with MCS derived greater benefits from receiving taVNS treatment earlier (CRS-R, Disease duration ≤ 1-month, mean difference = 8.50, 95% CI = [2.22, 14.78], p = 0.027; GCS, Disease duration ≤ 1-month, mean difference = 3.58, 95% CI = [0.14, 7.03], p = 0.044). By week 12, the active taVNS group exhibited lower Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores compared to the sham taVNS group (Z = -2.105, p = 0.035), indicating a more favorable prognosis for MCS patients who underwent taVNS. Furthermore, no significant adverse events related to taVNS were observed during treatment. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that taVNS may serve as a potentially effective and safe intervention for facilitating the restoration of consciousness in individuals diagnosed with MCS. This therapeutic approach appears to enhance cerebral functioning and optimize neural conduction pathways. Clinical trial registration http://www.chictr.org.cn, Identifier ChiCTR2200066629.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yejing Sun
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Pei He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qi Xiong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Junwei Kang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yunliang Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhen Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaoyang Dong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Research Center of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
De Luca R, Lauria P, Bonanno M, Corallo F, Rifici C, Castorina MV, Trifirò S, Gangemi A, Lombardo C, Quartarone A, De Cola MC, Calabrò RS. Neurophysiological and Psychometric Outcomes in Minimal Consciousness State after Advanced Audio-Video Emotional Stimulation: A Retrospective Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1619. [PMID: 38137067 PMCID: PMC10741433 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last ten years, technological innovations have led to the development of new, advanced sensory stimulation (SS) tools, such as PC-based rehabilitative programs or virtual reality training. These are meant to stimulate residual cognitive abilities and, at the same time, assess cognition and awareness, also in patients with a minimally conscious state (MCS). Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical and neurophysiological effects of multi-sensory and emotional stimulation provided by Neurowave in patients with MCS, as compared to a conventional SS treatment. The psychological status of their caregivers was also monitored. In this retrospective study, we have included forty-two MCS patients and their caregivers. Each MCS subject was included in either the control group (CG), receiving a conventional SS, or the experimental group (EG), who was submitted to the experimental training with the Neurowave. They were assessed before (T0) and after the training (T1) through a specific clinical battery, including both motor and cognitive outcomes. Moreover, in the EG, we also monitored the brain electrophysiological activity (EEG and P300). In both study groups (EG and CG), the psychological caregiver's aspects, including anxiety levels, were measured using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The intra-group analysis (T0-T1) of the EG showed statistical significances in all patients' outcome measures, while in the CG, we found statistical significances in consciousness and awareness outcomes. The inter-group analysis between the EG and the CG showed no statistical differences, except for global communication skills. In conclusion, the multi-sensory stimulation approach through Neurowave was found to be an innovative rehabilitation treatment, also allowing the registration of brain activity during treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mirjam Bonanno
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy; (R.D.L.); (P.L.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (M.V.C.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (C.L.); (A.Q.); (M.C.D.C.); (R.S.C.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Balkan S, Spigel P, Quartano J, Foster H, DeMark LA, Beaulieu CL. The use of assisted technologies in early aggressive mobilization with an individual in a minimally conscious state: a case report. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2023; 18:1303-1309. [PMID: 34875188 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2021.2002443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early neurorehabilitation and passive, upright mobilization strategies have been shown to be beneficial for individuals with disorders of consciousness (DOC). However, literature is limited in illustrating the use of an early, aggressive program with an added focus on dynamic and active upright mobilization. The purpose of this case report is to describe a two-week aggressive, upright standing and walking program with an individual with traumatic brain injury in an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting. The case investigates the association between aggressive mobilization with changes in level of consciousness and daily cognitive, motor and communicative behaviours. CASE DESCRIPTION A 30-year-old male classified in DOC as minimally conscious state (MCS) participated in an early upright mobilization program. The two-week intervention consisted of aggressive static/passive and dynamic/active upright mobilization activities, involving a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Expressive communication, motor responses and current level of consciousness were monitored and assessed twice a day. Additionally, the patient's activation and arousal were subjectively monitored during daily therapy sessions. RESULTS Following the dynamic/active mobilization activities, the patient demonstrated improved expressive communication, motor scores and increased activation and arousal during the mobilizations. After the two-week intervention, he emerged from DOC. CONCLUSION This case report illustrates intense, more active/dynamic upright mobilization with the use of assisted technologies provides promise as an effective intervention for improving communication, motor responses, arousal and level of consciousness in a patient in MCS. Initiating upright, active activity sooner in the recovery process, may lead to improved outcomes and quicker emergence.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAggressive upright mobilization may be delivered safely to patients in DOC early in their rehabilitative care.Aggressive upright mobilization may be beneficial for patients in DOC.Higher intensity, more active/dynamic upright mobilization such as the use of Erigo®Pro + stepping and locomotor training on a treadmill with body weight support demonstrated positive outcomes with expressive communication, motor responses and arousal.Earlier initiation of aggressive mobilization may promote recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Staci Balkan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Pamela Spigel
- Brooks Institute of Higher Learning, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer Quartano
- Brooks Institute of Higher Learning, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Hannah Foster
- Brooks Institute of Higher Learning, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Louis A DeMark
- Department of Physical Therapy, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Cynthia L Beaulieu
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Newcomer KF, Fine RL, Newman AF. Food as Love: Ethical and Moral Dilemmas in Withdrawal of Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in the Minimally Conscious State. J Palliat Care 2023; 38:407-411. [PMID: 33940995 DOI: 10.1177/08258597211014359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Supportive Palliative Care and Hospice professionals frequently attend to Minimally Conscious State (MCS) patients near the end of life and in so doing, face decisions over maintenance or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration. Although both withholding and withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) in such circumstances are considered by experts in ethics and law to be acceptable, not all families nor health care professionals agree. This paper will explore basic aspects of serious brain injuries, especially MCS, the psychological role of food in interpersonal relationships, and lessons from clinical ethics that can help in goals of care discussions about withdrawal of ANH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelley Finch Newcomer
- Department of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Robert L Fine
- Baylor Scott and White Office of Clinical Ethics and Palliative Care, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dong X, Tang Y, Zhou Y, Feng Z. Stimulation of vagus nerve for patients with disorders of consciousness: a systematic review. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1257378. [PMID: 37781261 PMCID: PMC10540190 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1257378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stimulating the vagus nerve in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOCs). Methods A comprehensive systematic review was conducted, encompassing the search of databases such as PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE and PEDro from their inception until July 2023. Additionally, manual searches and exploration of grey literature were performed. The literature review was conducted independently by two reviewers for search strategy, selection of studies, data extraction, and judgment of evidence quality according to the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) Study Quality Scale. Results A total of 1,269 articles were retrieved, and 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Among these, there were three case reports, five case series, and only two randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Preliminary studies have suggested that stimulation of vagus nerve can enhance the levels of DOCs in both vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness state (VS/UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS). However, due to a lack of high-quality RCTs research and evidence-based medical evidence, no definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding the intervention's effectiveness on consciousness level. Additionally, there were no significant adverse effects observed following stimulation of vagus nerve. Conclusion A definitive conclusion cannot be drawn from this systematic review as there was a limited number of eligible studies and low-quality evidence. The findings of this systematic review can serve as a roadmap for future research on the use of stimulation of vagus nerve to facilitate recovery from DOCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhen Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Leboutte F, Engesser C, Zahiti L, Rentsch CA, Seifert H, Anding R, Hund-Georgiadis M, Möhr S, Walter M. Prevalence of Unfavorable Video-Urodynamic Findings and Clinical Implications in Patients with Minimally Conscious State/Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2432. [PMID: 37760873 PMCID: PMC10525630 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective exploratory study was to investigate the prevalence of unfavorable findings during video-urodynamic studies (VUDS) in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS)/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and whether management of the lower urinary tract (LUT) was adjusted accordingly. A retrospective chart review was conducted to screen for patients diagnosed with MCS/UWS at our rehabilitation center between 2011 and 2020. Patients 18 years or older were included and underwent baseline VUDS after being diagnosed with MCS/UWS. We analyzed urodynamic parameters and subsequent changes in LUT management in this cohort. In total, 32 patients (7 females, 25 males, median age 37 years) with MCS/UWS were included for analysis. While at least one unfavorable VUDS finding (i.e., neurogenic detrusor overactivity [NDO], detrusor sphincter dyssynergia {DSD, high maximum detrusor pressure during storage phase [>40 cmH2O], low-compliance bladder [<20 mL/cmH2O], and vesico-uretero-renal reflux [VUR]) was found in each patient, NDO (78.1%, 25/32) and DSD (68.8%, 22/32) were the two most frequent unfavorable VUDS findings. Following baseline VUDS, new LUT treatment options were established in 56.3% (18/32) of all patients. In addition, bladder-emptying methods were changed in 46.9% (15/32) of all patients, resulting in fewer patients relying on indwelling catheters. Our retrospective exploratory study revealed a high prevalence of NDO and DSD in patients with MCS/UWS, illustrating the importance of VUDS to adapt LUT management in this cohort accordingly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francois Leboutte
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Christian Engesser
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Leutrim Zahiti
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Cyrill A. Rentsch
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Helge Seifert
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Ralf Anding
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| | | | - Sandra Möhr
- Neuro-Urology, REHAB Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Walter
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (F.L.); (C.E.); (L.Z.); (C.A.R.); (H.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Annen J, Frasso G, van der Lande GJM, Bonin EAC, Vitello MM, Panda R, Sala A, Cavaliere C, Raimondo F, Bahri MA, Schiff ND, Gosseries O, Thibaut A, Laureys S. Cerebral electrometabolic coupling in disordered and normal states of consciousness. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112854. [PMID: 37498745 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We assess cerebral integrity with cortical and subcortical FDG-PET and cortical electroencephalography (EEG) within the mesocircuit model framework in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoCs). The mesocircuit hypothesis proposes that subcortical activation facilitates cortical function. We find that the metabolic balance of subcortical mesocircuit areas is informative for diagnosis and is associated with four EEG-based power spectral density patterns, cortical metabolism, and α power in healthy controls and patients with a DoC. Last, regional electrometabolic coupling at the cortical level can be identified in the θ and α ranges, showing positive and negative relations with glucose uptake, respectively. This relation is inverted in patients with a DoC, potentially related to altered orchestration of neural activity, and may underlie suboptimal excitability states in patients with a DoC. By understanding the neurobiological basis of the pathophysiology underlying DoCs, we foresee translational value for diagnosis and treatment of patients with a DoC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Annen
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | | | - Glenn J M van der Lande
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Estelle A C Bonin
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marie M Vitello
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Rajanikant Panda
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Arianna Sala
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Federico Raimondo
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Mohamed Ali Bahri
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau(2), University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Joint International Research Unit on Consciousness, CERVO Brain Research Centre, University Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Liuzzi P, Hakiki B, Draghi F, Romoli AM, Burali R, Scarpino M, Cecchi F, Grippo A, Mannini A. EEG fractal dimensions predict high-level behavioral responses in minimally conscious patients. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:046038. [PMID: 37494926 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aceaac] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Objective.Brain-injured patients may enter a state of minimal or inconsistent awareness termed minimally conscious state (MCS). Such patient may (MCS+) or may not (MCS-) exhibit high-level behavioral responses, and the two groups retain two inherently different rehabilitative paths and expected outcomes. We hypothesized that brain complexity may be treated as a proxy of high-level cognition and thus could be used as a neural correlate of consciousness.Approach.In this prospective observational study, 68 MCS patients (MCS-: 30; women: 31) were included (median [IQR] age 69 [20]; time post-onset 83 [28]). At admission to intensive rehabilitation, 30 min resting-state closed-eyes recordings were performed together with consciousness diagnosis following international guidelines. The width of the multifractal singularity spectrum (MSS) was computed for each channel time series and entered nested cross-validated interpretable machine learning models targeting the differential diagnosis of MCS±.Main results.Frontal MSS widths (p< 0.05), as well as the ones deriving from the left centro-temporal network (C3:p= 0.018, T3:p= 0.017; T5:p= 0.003) were found to be significantly higher in the MCS+ cohort. The best performing solution was found to be the K-nearest neighbor model with an aggregated test accuracy of 75.5% (median [IQR] AuROC for 100 executions 0.88 [0.02]). Coherently, the electrodes with highest Shapley values were found to be Fz and Cz, with four out the first five ranked features belonging to the fronto-central network.Significance.MCS+ is a frequent condition associated with a notably better prognosis than the MCS-. High fractality in the left centro-temporal network results coherent with neurological networks involved in the language function, proper of MCS+ patients. Using EEG-based interpretable algorithm to complement differential diagnosis of consciousness may improve rehabilitation pathways and communications with caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piergiuseppe Liuzzi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
- The Biorobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna Istituto di BioRobotica, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, PI, Italy
| | - Bahia Hakiki
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| | - Francesca Draghi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Romoli
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| | - Rachele Burali
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| | - Maenia Scarpino
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| | - Francesca Cecchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence, 50143 FI, Italy
| | - Antonello Grippo
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| | - Andrea Mannini
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via di Scandicci 269, Firenze, FI, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Vitello MM, Rosenfelder MJ, Cardone P, Niimi M, Willacker L, Thibaut A, Lejeune N, Laureys S, Bender A, Gosseries O. A protocol for a multicenter randomized and personalized controlled trial using rTMS in patients with disorders of consciousness. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1216468. [PMID: 37545735 PMCID: PMC10401598 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1216468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Improving the functional recovery of patients with DoC remains one of the greatest challenges of the field. Different theories exist about the role of the anterior (prefrontal areas) versus posterior (parietal areas) parts of the brain as hotspots for the recovery of consciousness. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a powerful non-invasive brain stimulation technique for the treatment of DoC. However, a direct comparison of the effect of TMS treatment on the front versus the back of the brain has yet to be performed. In this study, we aim to assess the short- and long-term effects of frontal and parietal rTMS on DoC recovery and characterize responders phenotypically. Methods/design Ninety patients with subacute and prolonged DoC will be included in a two-part multicenter prospective study. In the first phase (randomized controlled trial, RCT), patients will undergo four rTMS sessions in a crossover design over 10 days, targeting (i) the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and (ii) the left angular gyrus (AG), as well as (iii & iv) their sham alternatives. In the second phase (longitudinal personalized trial), patients will receive personalized stimulations for 20 working days targeting the brain area that showed the best results in the RCT and will be randomly assigned to either active or sham intervention. The effects of rTMS on neurobehavioral and neurophysiological functioning in patients with DoC will be evaluated using clinical biomarkers of responsiveness (i.e., the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised; CRS-R), and electrophysiological biomarkers (e.g., power spectra, functional and effective connectivity, perturbational complexity index before and after intervention). Functional long-term outcomes will be assessed at 3 and 6 months post-intervention. Adverse events will be recorded during the treatment phase. Discussion This study seeks to identify which brain region (front or back) is best to stimulate for the treatment of patients with DoC using rTMS, and to characterize the neural correlates of its action regarding recovery of consciousness and functional outcome. In addition, we will define the responders' profile based on patients' characteristics and functional impairments; and develop biomarkers of responsiveness using EEG analysis according to the clinical responsiveness to the treatment. Clinical Trial Registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04401319, Clinicaltrials.gov, n° NCT04401319.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie M. Vitello
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Martin J. Rosenfelder
- Department of Neurology, Therapiezentrum Burgau, Burgau, Germany
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Paolo Cardone
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Masachika Niimi
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Lina Willacker
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Hospital of Munich, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Lejeune
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- William Lennox Neurological Hospital, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- CERVO Research Center, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Andreas Bender
- Department of Neurology, Therapiezentrum Burgau, Burgau, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Hospital of Munich, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lindenbaum L, Steppacher I, Mehlmann A, Kissler JM. The effect of neural pre-stimulus oscillations on post-stimulus somatosensory event-related potentials in disorders of consciousness. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1179228. [PMID: 37360157 PMCID: PMC10287968 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1179228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain activity of people in a disorder of consciousness (DoC) is diffuse and different from healthy people. In order to get a better understanding of their cognitive processes and functions, electroencephalographic activity has often been examined in patients with DoC, including detection of event-related potentials (ERPs) and spectral power analysis. However, the relationship between pre-stimulus oscillations and post-stimulus ERPs has rarely been explored in DoC, although it is known from healthy participants that pre-stimulus oscillations predispose subsequent stimulus detection. Here, we examine to what extent pre-stimulus electroencephalography band power in DoC relates to post-stimulus ERPs in a similar way as previously documented in healthy people. 14 DoC patients in an unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS, N = 2) or a minimally conscious state (MCS, N = 12) participated in this study. In an active oddball paradigm patients received vibrotactile stimuli. Significant post-stimulus differences between brain responses to deviant and standard stimulation could be found in six MCS patients (42.86%). Regarding relative pre-stimulus frequency bands, delta oscillations predominated in most patients, followed by theta and alpha, although two patients showed a relatively normal power spectrum. The statistical analysis of the relationship between pre-stimulus power and post-stimulus event-related brain response showed multiple significant correlations in five out of the six patients. Individual results sometimes showed similar correlation patterns as in healthy subjects primarily between the relative pre-stimulus alpha power and post-stimulus variables in later time-intervals. However, opposite effects were also found, indicating high inter-individual variability in DoC patients´ functional brain activity. Future studies should determine on an individual level to what extent the relationship between pre- and post-stimulus brain activity could relate to the course of the disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lindenbaum
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Inga Steppacher
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Johanna Maria Kissler
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hamilton JA, Ketchum JM, Hammond FM, Peterson MD, Zasler ND, Eapen BC, Adamson MM, Galhorta PP, Harris O, Nakase-Richardson R. Comparison of veterans affairs and NIDILRR traumatic brain injury model systems participants with disorders of consciousness. Brain Inj 2023; 37:282-292. [PMID: 36539996 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2158226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize demographic, pre-injury, and outcome data within the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and Veterans Affairs (VA) Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) cohorts with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with no command-following ability at time of admission to acute rehabilitation. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING NIDILRR and VA TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) centers. PARTICIPANTS 396 NIDILRR and 72 VA participants without command-following ability who experienced TBI with subsequent Disorder of Consciousness (DoC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Pre-injury and injury characteristics, rehabilitation outcomes, and 1-year self-reported outcomes. RESULTS VA TBIMS cohort included individuals who were active duty or had military service before their injury. The VA cohort were more likely to be re-hospitalized at 1-year follow-up or residing in a long-term care or rehab setting. The NIDILRR TBIMS cohort had higher FIM and DRS scores at rehabilitation discharge, while the VA participants saw longer lengths of stay and higher numbers of "violent" injury types. CONCLUSIONS This study allows for a better understanding of the comparability between VA and NIDILRR DoC cohorts providing guidance on how veteran and civilian samples might be merged in future TBIMS studies to explore predictors of recovery from a DoC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Flora M Hammond
- Department Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Carolinas Rehabilitation, 4141 Shore Drive 46254, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Nathan D Zasler
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Blessen C Eapen
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Maheen Mausoof Adamson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rehabilitation Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
| | - Pawan P Galhorta
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, Program Director, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center
| | - Odette Harris
- Department of Neurosurgery, Director, Brain Injury, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Risa Nakase-Richardson
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Defense Health Agency TBI Center of Excellence at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhai W, Jiao H, Zhuang Y, Yang Y, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wang Y, Zhao YN, Zhang S, He J, Rong P. Optimizing the modulation paradigm of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with disorders of consciousness: A prospective exploratory pilot study protocol. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1145699. [PMID: 37008222 PMCID: PMC10050378 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1145699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique. Several studies have reported the effectiveness of taVNS in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC); however, differences in the modulation paradigm have led to inconsistent treatment outcomes. Methods/design This prospective exploratory trial will include 15 patients with a minimally conscious state (MCS) recruited according to the coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R). Each patient will receive 5 different frequencies of taVNS (1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 Hz); sham stimulation will be used as a blank control. The order of stimulation will be randomized, and the patients' CRS-R scores and resting electroencephalography (EEG) before and after stimulation will be recorded. Discussion The overall study of taVNS used in treating patients with DOC is still in the preliminary stage of exploration. Through this experiment, we aim to explore the optimal stimulation frequency parameters of taVNS for the treatment of DOC patients. Furthermore, we expect to achieve a stable improvement of consciousness in DOC patients by continuously optimizing the neuromodulation paradigm of taVNS for the treatment of DOC patients. Clinical trial registration https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier ChiCTR 2200063828.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weihang Zhai
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Haoyang Jiao
- Institute of Documentation, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yutong Zhuang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinling Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhao
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghong He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bagnato S, Boccagni C. Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Biomarkers in Patients with Post-Traumatic Disorders of Consciousness: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13. [PMID: 36831907 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood biomarkers are emerging tools used to obtain information on secondary brain damage and to improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy for patients with prolonged post-traumatic disorders of consciousness (DoC). We synthesized available data from studies evaluating CSF and blood biomarkers in these patients. (2) Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist to identify and synthesize data from relevant studies. Studies were identified by PubMed and manual searches. Those involving patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or in a minimally conscious state for >28 days, evaluating CSF or blood biomarkers, and conducted on patients with traumatic brain injuries older than 16 years were included in the review. (3) Results: In total, 17 studies were included. Findings on neurofilament light chain, proteins, metabolites, lipids, amyloid-β, tau, melatonin, thyroid hormones, microtubule-associated protein 2, neuron-specific enolase, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were included in the qualitative synthesis. (4) Conclusions: The most promising applications for CSF and blood biomarkers are the monitoring of secondary neurodegeneration, support of DoC diagnoses, and refinement of prognoses, although current evidence remains too scarce to recommend such uses of these biomarkers in clinical practice.
Collapse
|
28
|
Gosseries O, Schnakers C, Vanhaudenhuyse A, Martial C, Aubinet C, Charland-Verville V, Thibaut A, Annen J, Ledoux D, Laureys S, Grégoire C. Needs and Quality of Life of Caregivers of Patients with Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness. Brain Sci 2023; 13. [PMID: 36831851 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Many patients with severe brain damage may survive and remain in a prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDoC), impacting the quality of life (QoL) and needs of their family caregivers. However, the current literature on the factors influencing these needs is contradictory. We aim to describe the needs, QoL, and emotional distress of caregivers of patients with PDoC. Methods. Questionnaires investigating the importance and satisfaction of six categories of needs (i.e., health information, emotional, instrumental, and professional supports, community support network, and involvement in care), QoL, and emotional distress were completed by the main caregivers of PDoC patients. Results. We analyzed 177 questionnaires. Seventy-nine percent of the needs were considered as important or very important, and 44% were partially met or unmet. The needs for health information and professional support were the most important, while the needs for involvement in care and for health information were the most satisfied. Mean QoL was low and emotional distress high. Variables such as care setting and time since brain injury affected the level of QoL and distress. Conclusion. The needs for health information and professional support should receive particular attention. Given their low QoL and high distress, adequate support structures should be provided to caregivers of PDoC patients.
Collapse
|
29
|
Chen H, Miao G, Wang S, Zheng J, Zhang X, Lin J, Hao C, Huang H, Jiang T, Gong Y, Liao W. Disturbed functional connectivity and topological properties of the frontal lobe in minimally conscious state based on resting-state fNIRS. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1118395. [PMID: 36845431 PMCID: PMC9950516 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1118395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients in minimally conscious state (MCS) exist measurable evidence of consciousness. The frontal lobe is a crucial part of the brain that encodes abstract information and is closely related to the conscious state. We hypothesized that the disturbance of the frontal functional network exists in MCS patients. Methods We collected the resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data of fifteen MCS patients and sixteen age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC). The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) scale of MCS patients was also composed. The topology of the frontal functional network was analyzed in two groups. Results Compared with HC, the MCS patients showed widely disrupted functional connectivity in the frontal lobe, especially in the frontopolar area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Moreover, the MCS patients displayed lower clustering coefficient, global efficiency, local efficiency, and higher characteristic path length. In addition, the nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in the left frontopolar area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were significantly reduced in MCS patients. Furthermore, the nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were positively correlated to auditory subscale scores. Conclusion This study reveals that MCS patients' frontal functional network is synergistically dysfunctional. And the balance between information separation and integration in the frontal lobe is broken, especially the local information transmission in the prefrontal cortex. These findings help us to understand the pathological mechanism of MCS patients better.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sirui Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Junbin Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chizi Hao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hailong Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Xiong Q, Le K, Wang Y, Tang Y, Dong X, Zhong Y, Zhou Y, Feng Z. A prediction model of clinical outcomes in prolonged disorders of consciousness: A prospective cohort study. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1076259. [PMID: 36817098 PMCID: PMC9936154 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1076259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to establish and validate a prediction model for clinical outcomes in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Methods A total of 170 patients with pDOC enrolled in our rehabilitation unit were included and divided into training (n = 119) and validation sets (n = 51). Independent predictors for improved clinical outcomes were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram model was established. The nomogram performance was quantified using receiver operating curve (ROC) and calibration curves in the training and validated sets. A decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of this nomogram model. Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that age, diagnosis at entry, serum albumin (g/L), and pupillary reflex were the independent prognostic factors that were used to construct the nomogram. The area under the curve in the training and validation sets was 0.845 and 0.801, respectively. This nomogram model showed good calibration with good consistency between the actual and predicted probabilities of improved outcomes. The DCA demonstrated a higher net benefit in clinical decision-making compared to treating all or none. Conclusion Several feasible, cost-effective prognostic variables that are widely available in hospitals can provide an efficient and accurate prediction model for improved clinical outcomes and support clinicians to offer suitable clinical care and decision-making to patients with pDOC and their family members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xiong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Kai Le
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yunliang Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaoyang Dong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhen Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,*Correspondence: Zhen Feng ✉
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Vitello MM, Briand M, Ledoux D, Annen J, El Tahry R, Laureys S, Martin D, Gosseries O, Thibaut A. Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation to treat disorders of consciousness: Protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100360. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) are a challenging population prone to misdiagnosis with limited effective treatment options. Among neuromodulation techniques, transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) may act through a bottom-up manner to modulate thalamo-cortical connectivity and promote patients’ recovery. In this clinical trial, we aim to (1) assess the therapeutic clinical effects of taVNS in patients with DoC; (2) investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of its action; (3) assess the feasibility and safety of the procedure in this challenging population; (4) define the phenotype of clinical responders; and (5) assess the long-term efficacy of taVNS in terms of functional outcomes. Methods We will conduct a prospective parallel randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial investigating the effects of taVNS as a treatment in DoC patients. Forty-four patients in the early period post-injury (7 to 90 days following the injury) will randomly receive 5 days of either active bilateral vagal stimulation (45 min duration with 30s alternative episodes of active/rest periods; 3mA; 200-300μs current width, 25Hz.) or sham stimulation. Behavioural (i.e., Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, CRS-R) and neurophysiological (i.e., high-density electroencephalography, hd-EEG) measures will be collected at baseline and at the end of the 5-day treatment. Analyses will seek for changes in the CRS-R and the EEG metrics (e.g., alpha band power spectrum, functional connectivity) at the group and individual (i.e., responders) levels. Discussion These results will allow us to investigate the vagal afferent network and will contribute towards a definition of the role of taVNS for the treatment of patients with DoC. We aim to identify the neural correlates of its action and pave the way to novel targeted therapeutic strategies. Clinical trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov n° NCT04065386.
Collapse
|
32
|
Xiong Q, Wang Y, Wang Z, Tang Y, Huang L, Kang J, Feng Z. Relationship between consciousness level and perfusion computed tomography in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:9668-9678. [PMID: 36470667 PMCID: PMC9792208 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We assessed the relationship between consciousness level and values of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), and time to peak (TTP) obtained by whole-brain perfusion computed tomography (pCT) in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). METHODS This study included 29 patients in vegetative state (VS), 34 with minimally consciousness state minus (MCS-), and 13 with minimally consciousness state plus (MCS+). All patients were evaluated using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR). The values of CBF, CBV, MTT, and TTP were obtained from patients who underwent pCT. Differences in CBF, CBV, MTT, and TTP were compared between the three types of pDOC. Correlations between the CRS-R, GCS, and FOUR scores and the pCT results were analyzed. RESULTS Among the three groups, patients in VS showed a significantly decreased CBF in the bilateral frontal lobe, thalamus, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, brainstem, and damaged part. CBV was significantly reduced in patients with VS in the bilateral frontal lobe, thalamus, temporal lobe, brainstem, and damaged part. The total CRS-R, GCS, and FOUR scores were positively correlated with CBF, CBV, and TTP in almost all regions of interest. CONCLUSION Reductions in CBF and CBV calculated with pCT are associated with impaired consciousness and perfusion CT could be a promising tool in evaluating the conscious level in patients with pDOC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xiong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Yunliang Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Lianghua Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Junwei Kang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Dang Y, Wang Y, Xia X, Yang Y, Bai Y, Zhang J, He J. Deep brain stimulation improves electroencephalogram functional connectivity of patients with minimally conscious state. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:344-353. [PMID: 36377433 PMCID: PMC9804046 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a potential neuromodulatory therapy that enhances recovery from disorders of consciousness, especially minimally conscious state (MCS). This study measured the effects of DBS on the brain and explored the underlying mechanisms of DBS on MCS. METHODS Nine patients with MCS were recruited for this study. The neuromodulation effects of 100 Hz DBS were explored via cross-control experiments. Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and EEG were recorded, and corresponding functional connectivity and network parameters were calculated. RESULTS Our results showed that 100 Hz DBS could improve the functional connectivity of the whole, local and local-local brain regions, while no significant change in EEG functional connectivity was observed in sham DBS. The whole brain's network parameters (clustering coefficient, path length, and small world characteristic) were significantly improved. In addition, a significant increase in the CRS-R and functional connectivity of three MCS patients who received 100 Hz DBS for 6 months were observed. CONCLUSION This study showed that DBS improved EEG functional connectivity and brain networks, indicating that the long-term use of DBS could improve the level of consciousness of MCS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Dang
- Medical School of Chinese PLABeijingChina,Department of Neurosurgerythe First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yong Wang
- Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Research InstituteZhuhaiChina
| | - Xiaoyu Xia
- Department of Neurosurgerythe Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of MedicineHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jianning Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese PLABeijingChina,Department of Neurosurgerythe First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jianghong He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Turner-Stokes L, Thakur V, Dungca C, Clare C, Alfonso E. End-of-life care for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness following withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment: Experience and lessons from an 8-year cohort. Clin Med (Lond) 2022; 22:559-565. [PMID: 38589160 PMCID: PMC9761429 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2022-0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
National guidelines provide advice for end-of-life care in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC). Following a Supreme Court judgment in July 2018, updated guidelines set out requirements to ensure that decisions to withdraw clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH) are made responsibly in the absence of a mandatory application to the court. This retrospective 8-year cohort analysis of prospectively collected clinical data examines the experience and lessons learned from implementing the guidelines in the 80 PDOC patients who have died in one tertiary centre since 2014. It also reports performance against the standards for elective withdrawal of CANH outside of court since July 2018. CANH was withdrawn in 39/80 (49%) of the patients, over half of whom were already imminently dying. Even in a centre where patients are referred for this purpose, elective CANH withdrawal is comparatively rare (just 14 patients since 2018). The requirements were met in all cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne Turner-Stokes
- King's College London, London, UK; director, Regional Hyper-acute Rehabilitation Unit, London North-West University Hospitals Trust, London, UK.
| | - Verity Thakur
- London North-West University Hospitals Trust, London, UK
| | - Chris Dungca
- London North-West University Hospitals Trust, London, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lehrer H, Dayan I, Elkayam K, Kfir A, Bierman U, Front L, Catz A, Aidinoff E. Responses to stimuli in the 'snoezelen' room in unresponsive wakefulness or in minimally responsive state. Brain Inj 2022; 36:1167-1175. [PMID: 35978560 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2110286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensory stimulation in Snoezelen room increased responsiveness after brain injury and dementia. OBJECTIVE To explore the physiological and clinical effects of Snoezelen stimulation in persons with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state (UWS or MCS). DESIGN A comparative prospective observational cohort study. METHODS Ten patients with UWS and 25 in MCS were exposed to consecutive stimuli involving the 5 senses in a Snoezelen room. Heart rate (HR) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), and scores of the Loewenstein communication scale (LCS) were obtained before and during or after the stimuli. RESULTS The stimuli increased HR values and decreased left hemisphere CBFV values in patients with MCS (p < 0.05). Stimulation increased LCS scores (from 28.48 ± 6.55 to 31.13 ± 7.14; p < 0.001) in patients with MCS, but not in the UWS group. LCS gain correlated with HR and right hemisphere CBFV gains in patients with MCS (r = 0.439 and 0.636 respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Snoezelen stimulation induced immediate improvement in communication and physiological changes in patients with MSC, and had a minor physiological effect in patients with UWS. If additional studies support these findings, it will be possible to suggest that Snoezelen stimulation can affect arousal, and possibly improve functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiela Lehrer
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Ilil Dayan
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Keren Elkayam
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Adi Kfir
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Uri Bierman
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Lilach Front
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Amiram Catz
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Rehabilitation Department, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Elena Aidinoff
- Departments of Intensive Care for Consciousness Rehabilitation and Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Rehabilitation Department, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
De Luca R, Bonanno M, Vermiglio G, Trombetta G, Andidero E, Caminiti A, Pollicino P, Rifici C, Calabrò RS. Robotic Verticalization plus Music Therapy in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness: Promising Results from a Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12081045. [PMID: 36009107 PMCID: PMC9405818 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12081045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Music stimulation is considered a valuable form of intervention in disorders of consciousness (DoC); for instance, verticalization may improve motor and cognitive recovery. Our purpose is to investigate the effects of a novel rehabilitative approach combining robotic verticalization training (RVT) with personalized music stimulation in people with DoC. Methods: Sixteen subjects affected by minimally conscious state due to traumatic brain lesions who attended our Intensive Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit were enrolled in this randomized trial. They received either music robotic verticalization (MRV) using the Erigo device plus a personalized music playlist or only RVT without music stimuli. Each treatment was performed 2 times a week for 8 consecutive weeks in addition to standard neurorehabilitation. Results: We found significant improvements in all patients’ outcomes in the experimental group (who received MRV): Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) (p < 0.01), Level of Cognitive Functioning (LCF) (p < 0.02), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (p < 0.03), Functional Communication Scale (FCS) (p < 0.007), Trunk Control Test (TCT) (p = 0.05). Significant differences between the two groups were also found in the main outcome measure CRS-R (p < 0.01) but not for TCT and FIM. Conclusions: Our study supports the safety and effectiveness of RVT with the Erigo device in chronic MCS, and the achievement of better outcomes when RVT is combined with music stimulation.
Collapse
|
37
|
Maurer-Karattup P, Zasler N, Thibaut A, Poulsen I, Lejeune N, Formisano R, Løvstad M, Hauger S, Morrissey AM. Neurorehabilitation for people with disorders of consciousness: an international survey of health-care structures and access to treatment, (Part 1). Brain Inj 2022; 36:850-859. [PMID: 35708273 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2059813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The provision of rehabilitation services for people with disorders of consciousness (DoC) may vary due to geographical, financial, and political factors. The extent of this variability and the implementation of treatment standards across countries is unknown. This study explored international neurorehabilitation systems for people with DoC. METHODS An online survey (SurveyMonkey®) was disseminated to all members of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) DoC Special Interest Group (SIG) examining existing rehabilitation systems and access to them. RESULTS Respondents (n = 35) were from 14 countries. Specialized neurorehabilitation was available with varying degrees of access and duration. Commencement of specialized neurorehabilitation averaged 3-4 weeks for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 5-8 weeks for non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI) etiologies. Length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation was 1-3 months for TBI and 4-6 months for nTBI. There were major differences in access to services and funding across countries. The majority of respondents felt there were not enough resources in place to provide appropriate neurorehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS There exists inter-country differences for DoC neurorehabilitation after severe acquired brain injury. Further work is needed to implement DoC treatment standards at an international level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Maurer-Karattup
- Head of Neuropsychology, SRH Fachkrankenhaus Neresheim (Specialty Hospital for Brain Injury), Neresheim, Germany
| | - Nathan Zasler
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University. CMO and CEO, Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Ltd. And Tree of Life Services, Inc, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- University of Liège, Belgium, & CNRF, Physical Medicine and Sport Traumatology Department, University Hospital of LiegeComa Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Poulsen
- Head of Research, Rubric (Research Unit on Brain Injury Rehabilitation), Department of Neurorehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre , Denmark.,Research Unit of Nursing and Health Care, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Lejeune
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium.,Institute of NeuroScience, University of Louvain, Belgium.,CHN William Lennox, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Rita Formisano
- Research Institute Santa Lucia FoundationDirector of Neurorehabilitation Hospital and Post-Coma Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianne Løvstad
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Hauger
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ann-Marie Morrissey
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Ageing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Yang Y, He Q, Xia X, Dang Y, Chen X, He J, Zhao J. Long-term functional prognosis and related factors of spinal cord stimulation in patients with disorders of consciousness. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1249-1258. [PMID: 35619213 PMCID: PMC9253730 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The treatment of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) remains a challenging issue, and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been reported to be a promising treatment for DoC in some studies. AIMS This study explores the efficiency of SCS in treating patients with DoC at different consciousness levels, including the vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) and the minimally conscious state (MCS) and summarizes and analyzes the long-term effect and related factors of SCS in patients with DoC. RESULTS An overall positive outcome was reached in 35 of 110 patients (31.8%). Among patients with positive outcomes, the MCS group improved 45.53% more than VS/UWS group, and this difference was statistically significant. In terms of the recommendation standard, positive outcomes occurred in 33 patients (94.3%) in the highly recommended group and 2 patients (5.7%) in the weakly recommended group (p < 0.001). After adjustment for potential covariables, young age (age ≤ 19 years old) (p = 0.045) and MCS (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with positive outcome. A nomogram based on age, state of consciousness, and pathogeny showed good predictive performance, with a c-index of 0.794. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the model was well calibrated (χ2 = 3.846, p = 0.871). CONCLUSIONS SCS is one of the most feasible treatments for patients with DoC, especially for patients with MCS. Younger age is significantly associated with better outcomes and could therefore serve as a basis for preoperative screening. However, more evidence-based randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of the treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qiheng He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Dang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xueling Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghong He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jizong Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Barra A, Rosenfelder M, Mortaheb S, Carrière M, Martens G, Bodien YG, Morales-Quezada L, Bender A, Laureys S, Thibaut A, Fregni F. Transcranial Pulsed-Current Stimulation versus Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: A Pilot, Sham-Controlled Cross-Over Double-Blind Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:429. [PMID: 35447961 PMCID: PMC9031379 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) over the prefrontal cortex can improve signs of consciousness in patients in a minimally conscious state. Transcranial pulsed-current stimulation (tPCS) over the mastoids can modulate brain activity and connectivity in healthy controls. This study investigated the feasibility of tPCS as a therapeutic tool in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) and compared its neurophysiological and behavioral effects with prefrontal tDCS. This pilot study was a randomized, double-blind sham-controlled clinical trial with three sessions: bi-mastoid tPCS, prefrontal tDCS, and sham. Electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral assessments were collected before and after each stimulation session. Post minus pre differences were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Twelve patients with DoC were included in the study (eight females, four traumatic brain injury, 50.3 ± 14 y.o., 8.8 ± 10.5 months post-injury). We did not observe any side-effects following tPCS, nor tDCS, and confirmed their feasibility and safety. We did not find a significant effect of the stimulation on EEG nor behavioral outcomes for tPCS. However, consistent with prior findings, our exploratory analyses suggest that tDCS induces behavioral improvements and an increase in theta frontal functional connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Barra
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness-GIGA Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.B.); (S.M.); (M.C.); (G.M.); (S.L.)
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (L.M.-Q.)
| | - Martin Rosenfelder
- Department of Neurology, Therapiezentrum Burgau, Kapuzinerstrasse 34, 89331 Burgau, Germany; (M.R.); (A.B.)
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sepehr Mortaheb
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness-GIGA Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.B.); (S.M.); (M.C.); (G.M.); (S.L.)
- Physiology of Cognition Lab, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Manon Carrière
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness-GIGA Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.B.); (S.M.); (M.C.); (G.M.); (S.L.)
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Geraldine Martens
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness-GIGA Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.B.); (S.M.); (M.C.); (G.M.); (S.L.)
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (L.M.-Q.)
| | - Yelena G. Bodien
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (L.M.-Q.)
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Leon Morales-Quezada
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (L.M.-Q.)
- Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Andreas Bender
- Department of Neurology, Therapiezentrum Burgau, Kapuzinerstrasse 34, 89331 Burgau, Germany; (M.R.); (A.B.)
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness-GIGA Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.B.); (S.M.); (M.C.); (G.M.); (S.L.)
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Joint International Research Unit on Consciousness, CERVO Brain Research Centre CIUSS, University Laval, Quebec, QC G1E1T2, Canada
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness-GIGA Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (A.B.); (S.M.); (M.C.); (G.M.); (S.L.)
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Winters B, Kuluris B, Pathmanaban R, Vanderwalt H, Thibaut A, Schnakers C. Changes of Spasticity across Time in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness: A Retrospective Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:295. [PMID: 35204057 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this retrospective study, we investigated how spasticity developed in patients diagnosed with a prolonged DOC over an almost two-year observation period (21 months), and how it related to the patients' age, gender, time since injury, etiology, level of consciousness, and anti-spastic medications. METHODS In total, 19 patients with a severe brain injury and prolonged DOC admitted to a long-term care facility were included in this study (14 male, age: 45.8 ± 15.3 years, 10 traumatic brain injury, 1.01 ± 0.99 years after brain injury, 11 minimally conscious state vs. 8 vegetative state). Each patient was assessed at admission and then quarterly, totaling eight assessments over 21 months. Spasticity was measured with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for both upper and lower limbs. The Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP) was administered to assess the level of consciousness. Any other medical and demographic information of interest was obtained through medical records. Linear mixed models were used to assess each variable's impact on the change of spasticity over time. RESULTS Significant differences were observed in the evolution of spasticity in patients based on their etiology for the upper limbs [F (7, 107.29) = 2.226; p = 0.038], and on their level of consciousness for the lower limbs [F (7, 107.07) = 3.196; p = 0.004]. CONCLUSION Our preliminary results suggest that spasticity evolves differently according to the type of brain lesion and the level of consciousness. Spasticity in DOCs might therefore be mediated by different mechanisms and might have to be treated differently among patients. Future longitudinal studies should be performed prospectively in a bigger cohort and with data collection beginning earlier after brain injury to confirm our results and better understand the evolution of spasticity in this population.
Collapse
|
41
|
Wang J, Zhang S, Liu W, Zhang Y, Hu Z, Sun Z, Di H. Olfactory Stimulation and the Diagnosis of Patients With Disorders of Consciousness: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:712891. [PMID: 35250440 PMCID: PMC8891647 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.712891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine whether behavioral responses elicited by olfactory stimulation are a predictor of conscious behavioral response and prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). METHODS Twenty-three DOC patients (8 unresponsive wakefulness syndrome [UWS]; 15 minimally conscious state [MCS]) were recruited for this study in which 1-Octen-3-ol (familiar neutral odor) and pyridine were used to test odor behavioral responses, and water was used as an odorless stimulus. One rater presented the three odors in front of each patient's nose randomly, and another one videotaped all behavioral responses (e.g., pouting, wrinkling nose, slightly shaking head, frowning, etc.). Two independent raters, blind to the stimuli and the patient's diagnosis, gave the behavioral results according to the recorded videos. One-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up evaluations were conducted to obtain a good prognostic value. RESULTS All MCS patients showed behavioral responses to the 1-Octen-3-ol stimulus; nine MCS and one UWS showed olfactory emotional responses to the pyridine, and two MCS showed olfactory emotional responses to the water stimulus. The incidence of behavioral response was significantly higher using 1-Octen-3-ol than it was for water by McNemar test (p < 0.001), significantly higher using pyridine than it was for water (p < 0.01). The χ2 test results indicated that there were significant differences between MCS and UWS to 1-Octen-3-ol (p < 0.001). For MCS patients, the incidence of behavioral response was no different between using 1-Octen-3-ol and pyridine (p > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the olfactory behavioral response and the improvement of consciousness based on the χ2 test analysis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Olfactory stimuli, especially for the familiar neutral odor, might be effective for eliciting a conscious behavioral response and estimating the clinical diagnosis of DOC patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03732092], [identifier NCT03732092].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Shanghai Yongci Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoming Zhang
- Shanghai Yongci Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Shanghai Yongci Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Shanghai Yongci Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhouyao Hu
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ziwei Sun
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Di
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Young MJ, Bodien YG, Edlow BL. Ethical Considerations in Clinical Trials for Disorders of Consciousness. Brain Sci 2022; 12:211. [PMID: 35203974 PMCID: PMC8870384 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As the clinical trial landscape for patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) expands, consideration of associated ethical challenges and opportunities is of ever-increasing importance. Responsible conduct of research in the vulnerable population of persons with DoC, including those with coma, vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), minimally conscious state (MCS), covert cortical processing (CCP), and cognitive motor dissociation (CMD), demands proactive deliberation of unique ethical issues that may arise and the adoption of robust protections to safeguard patients, surrogates, and other key stakeholders. Here we identify and critically evaluate four central categories of ethical considerations in clinical trials involving participants with DoC: (1) autonomy, respect for persons and informed consent of individuals with liminal consciousness; (2) balancing unknown benefits and risks, especially considering the epistemological gap between behavior and consciousness that complicates ordinary ascription of subjective states; (3) disclosure to surrogates and clinical teams of investigational results pertaining to consciousness; and (4) justice considerations, including equitable access to clinical trial enrollment across communities and geographies. We outline guiding principles and research opportunities for clinicians, neuroethicists, and researchers engaged in DoC clinical trials to advance ethical study design and deployment in this complex yet crucial area of investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Young
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (B.L.E.)
| | - Yelena G. Bodien
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (B.L.E.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA
| | - Brian L. Edlow
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (Y.G.B.); (B.L.E.)
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
SUMMARY The definition of consciousness has been the subject of great interest for many scientists and philosophers. To better understand how evoked potentials may be identified as biomarkers of consciousness and recovery, the different theoretical models sustaining neural correlates of consciousness are reviewed. A multimodal approach can help to better predict clinical outcome in patients presenting with disorders of consciousness. Evoked potentials are inexpensive and easy-to-implement bedside examination techniques. Evoked potentials are an integral part of prognostic evaluation, particularly in cases of cognitive motor dissociation. Prognostic criteria are well established in postanoxic disorders of consciousness, especially postcardiac arrest but are less well determined in other etiologies. In the early examination, bilateral absence of N20 in disorder of consciousness patients is strongly associated with unfavorable outcome (i.e., death or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome) especially in postanoxic etiologies. This predictive value is lower in other etiologies and probably also in children. Both N20 and mismatch negativity are proven outcome predictors for acute coma. Many studies have shown that mismatch negativity and P3a are characterized by a high prognostic value for awakening, but some patients presenting unresponsive wakefulness syndrome also process a P3a. The presence of long-latency event-related potential components in response to stimuli is indicative of a better recovery. All neurophysiological data must be integrated within a multimodal approach combining repeated clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, functional imaging, biology, and neurophysiology combining passive and active paradigms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Pruvost-Robieux
- Neurophysiology Department, GHU Paris Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Sainte Anne, Paris, France
- Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Angela Marchi
- Neurophysiology Department, GHU Paris Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Sainte Anne, Paris, France
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero, Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy;
| | - Eléonore Bouchereau
- Department of Anesthesiology and intensive care, GHU Paris Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Sainte Anne, Paris, France; and
| | - Martine Gavaret
- Neurophysiology Department, GHU Paris Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Sainte Anne, Paris, France
- Paris University, Paris, France
- INSERM UMR 1266, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Walter J. Consciousness as a multidimensional phenomenon: implications for the assessment of disorders of consciousness. Neurosci Conscious 2021; 2021:niab047. [PMID: 34992792 PMCID: PMC8716840 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Disorders of consciousness (DoCs) pose a significant clinical and ethical challenge because they allow for complex forms of conscious experience in patients where intentional behaviour and communication are highly limited or non-existent. There is a pressing need for brain-based assessments that can precisely and accurately characterize the conscious state of individual DoC patients. There has been an ongoing research effort to develop neural measures of consciousness. However, these measures are challenging to validate not only due to our lack of ground truth about consciousness in many DoC patients but also because there is an open ontological question about consciousness. There is a growing, well-supported view that consciousness is a multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be fully described in terms of the theoretical construct of hierarchical, easily ordered conscious levels. The multidimensional view of consciousness challenges the utility of levels-based neural measures in the context of DoC assessment. To examine how these measures may map onto consciousness as a multidimensional phenomenon, this article will investigate a range of studies where they have been applied in states other than DoC and where more is known about conscious experience. This comparative evidence suggests that measures of conscious level are more sensitive to some dimensions of consciousness than others and cannot be assumed to provide a straightforward hierarchical characterization of conscious states. Elevated levels of brain complexity, for example, are associated with conscious states characterized by a high degree of sensory richness and minimal attentional constraints, but are suboptimal for goal-directed behaviour and external responsiveness. Overall, this comparative analysis indicates that there are currently limitations to the use of these measures as tools to evaluate consciousness as a multidimensional phenomenon and that the relationship between these neural signatures and phenomenology requires closer scrutiny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Walter
- Cognition and Philosophy Lab, 21 Chancellor’s Walk, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
da Conceição Teixeira L, Blacker D, Campos C, Garrett C, Duport S, Rocha NB. Repeated Clinical Assessment Using Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique for Diagnosis in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:728637. [PMID: 34924975 PMCID: PMC8671934 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.728637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The recommended way to assess consciousness in prolonged disorders of consciousness is to observe the patient's responses to sensory stimulation. Multiple assessment sessions have to be completed in order to reach a correct diagnosis. There is, however, a lack of data on how many sessions are sufficient for validity and reliability. The aim of this study was to identify the number of Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique (SMART) assessment sessions needed to reach a reliable diagnosis. A secondary objective was to identify which sensory stimulation modalities are more useful to reach a diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the adult patients (who received a SMART assessment) admitted to a specialist brain injury unit over the course of 4 years was conducted (n = 35). An independent rater analyzed the SMART levels for each modality and session and provided a suggestive diagnosis based on the highest SMART level per session. Results: For the vast majority of patients between 5 and 6 sessions was sufficient to reach the final clinical diagnosis. The visual, auditory, tactile, and motor function modalities were found to be more associated with the final diagnosis than the olfactory and gustatory modalities. Conclusion: These findings provide for the first time a rationale for optimizing the time spent on assessing patients using SMART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana da Conceição Teixeira
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology, School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.,Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Danielle Blacker
- Occupational Therapy Department, Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Campos
- Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Sophie Duport
- Research Department, Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nuno Barbosa Rocha
- Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Comanducci A, Viganò A, Caronni A. Letter to the editor: COVID in patients with brain injury with a disorder of consciousness: a pathogenetic theory. Brain Inj 2021; 35:1647-1648. [PMID: 34487470 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2021.1972456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We recently published in this journal (Caronni and colleagues, Brain Injury, 2021-04-16) the first description of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of brain injured patients with a disorder of consciousness (DOC). Surprisingly enough we showed that, in these patients, the COVID was moderate and did not result in fatalities. The pathogenesis of the COVID is characterized by the profound dysregulation of the immune system. To explain our findings, we speculated that the immunosuppression due to the brain injury could be protective against the development of the COVID in patients with DOC. More recently, a second group of authors (Marino and colleagues, PLoSOne, 2021-06-30) described the course of the COVID in an independent cohort of patients with DOC. Since our results were quite unexpected, we have been very comforted by the data reported by Marino and colleagues. Moreover, these data also offer a unique opportunity to further evaluate our theory regarding the COVID pathogenesis in patients with DOC. In the current Letter to the Editor it is shown that the independent data presented by Marino and colleagues do support our theory. Waiting for larger cohorts to further test it (and in case falsify it), our interpretation seems to remain valid.
Collapse
|
47
|
Estraneo A, Magliacano A, Fiorenza S, Formisano R, Grippo A, Angelakis E, Cassol H, Thibaut A, Gosseries O, Lamberti G, Noé E, Bagnato S, Edlow BL, Chatelle C, Lejeune N, Veeramuthu V, Bartolo M, Mattia D, Toppi J, Zasler N, Schnakers C, Trojano L. Risk factors for 2-year mortality in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: An international multicentre study. Eur J Neurol 2021; 29:390-399. [PMID: 34657359 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDoC) have a high mortality rate due to medical complications. Because an accurate prognosis is essential for decision-making on patients' management, we analysed data from an international multicentre prospective cohort study to evaluate 2-year mortality rate and bedside predictors of mortality. METHODS We enrolled adult patients in prolonged vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) after traumatic and nontraumatic brain injury within 3 months postinjury. At enrolment, we collected demographic (age, sex), anamnestic (aetiology, time postinjury), clinical (Coma Recovery Scale-Revised [CRS-R], Disability Rating Scale, Nociception Coma Scale-Revised), and neurophysiologic (electroencephalogram [EEG], somatosensory evoked and event-related potentials) data. Patients were followed up to gather data on mortality up to 24 months postinjury. RESULTS Among 143 traumatic (n = 55) and nontraumatic (n = 88) patients (VS/UWS, n = 68, 19 females; MCS, n = 75, 22 females), 41 (28.7%) died within 24 months postinjury. Mortality rate was higher in VS/UWS (42.6%) than in MCS (16%; p < 0.001). Multivariate regression in VS/UWS showed that significant predictors of mortality were older age and lower CRS-R total score, whereas in MCS female sex and absence of alpha rhythm on EEG at study entry were significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that a feasible multimodal assessment in the postacute phase can help clinicians to identify patients with pDoC at higher risk of mortality within 24 months after brain injury. This evidence can help clinicians and patients' families to navigate the complex clinical decision-making process and promote an international standardization of prognostic procedures for patients with pDoC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Estraneo
- Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Florence, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Santa Maria della Pietà General Hospital, Nola, Italy
| | - Alfonso Magliacano
- Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Florence, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fiorenza
- Maugeri Clinical Scientific Institutes, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Laboratory for the Multimodal Evaluation of Disorders of Consciousness, Telese Terme, Italy
| | - Rita Formisano
- Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Grippo
- Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Florence, Italy
| | - Efthymios Angelakis
- Neurosurgery Department, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Helena Cassol
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Enrique Noé
- NEURORHB-Neurorehabilitation Service of Vithas Hospitals, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Bagnato
- Unit of Neurophysiology and Unit for Severe Acquired Brain Injuries, Rehabilitation Department, Giuseppe Giglio Foundation, Cefalù, Italy
| | - Brian L Edlow
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Camille Chatelle
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicolas Lejeune
- Centre Hospitalier Neurologique William Lennox, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | | | - Donatella Mattia
- Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Rome, Italy
| | - Jlenia Toppi
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nathan Zasler
- Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Caroline Schnakers
- Research Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Luigi Trojano
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Yang H, Ye C, Liu X, Sun L, Wang A, Wang J, Hu N, Hu X, Gosseries O, Laureys S, Di H, Fang J. Corrigendum: Estimating the Minimal Number of Repeated Examinations for Random Responsiveness With the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised as an Example. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:745196. [PMID: 34602989 PMCID: PMC8485934 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.745196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.685627.].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengyin Ye
- Department of Health Management, School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaochen Liu
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingxiu Sun
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anqi Wang
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nantu Hu
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Hu
- Hangzhou Wujing Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA- Consciousness and Centre du Cerveau, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA- Consciousness and Centre du Cerveau, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Haibo Di
- International Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Consciousness Science Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiqian Fang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wetzel-Weaver A, Bertero G, Aleton E, Turlan JL. Syndrome of the Trephined and ParoxySmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in a 17-year-old minimally conscious state patient: A Case Report. Brain Inj 2021; 35:1480-1483. [PMID: 34586939 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2021.1972448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Syndrome of the Trephined (SoT) is one of the most unknown complications of the Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A combination of neurological clinical criteria and radiological signs after DC is necessary to make its diagnosis. In our case, as the patient was in a minimally conscious state (MCS), it was impossible to clinically assess any neurological deterioration according to the criteria found in the literature. There is no description of clinical diagnostic criteria suitable for patients with MCS apart from the visible 'Skin Flap.'Method: A 17-year-old patient sustained a severe TBI. Two months after the TBI and a DC he exhibited an MCS with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 7 and a Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM) of 5. He presented several paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) episodes a day and developed a sinking skin flap. A cranioplasty was performed. Then, we noticed the gradual disappearance of PSH episodes plus an improvement of the CRS and the WHIM. Results: The evolution of the WHIM data revealed a statistically significant difference (p 0.0047). Conclusion: Further studies should be conducted to assess whether the WHIM and the frequency of PSH episodes may be part of the diagnostic criteria for SoT in MCS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Wetzel-Weaver
- Department of Research, Clinique Romande De Réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland.,Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hopital Fribourgeois Hfr, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Bertero
- Department of Research, Clinique Romande De Réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Etienne Aleton
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, Clinique Romande de Readaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Jean Luc Turlan
- Department of Research, Clinique Romande De Réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland.,Department of Neurorehabilitation, Clinique Romande de Readaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
To date, no guideline exists for the management of epilepsy in patients with prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (DoC). This review aimed to assess the occurrence of epilepsy and epileptic abnormalities (EA) in these patients, to determine their impact on recovery; and to review the effect of antiepileptic drugs (AED) and therapeutic interventions on seizure occurrence and consciousness recovery. A structured search for studies on prolonged DoC and epilepsy was undertaken following PRISMA guidelines. From an initial search resulting in 5,775 titles, twelve studies met inclusion criteria. The occurrence of epilepsy and EA in DoC was poorly and inconsistently reported across studies. The results estimated a seizure prevalence of 27% in DoC. No conclusive data were found for the effects of AED on recovery nor on the influence of any therapeutic interventions on seizure occurrence. Given the scarcity of data, it is premature to make evidence-based recommendations on epilepsy in prolonged DoC. Based on this review and current clinical practices the following are recommended: (1) repeated standard EEG for detecting seizures and EA; (2) treating epilepsy while avoiding AEDs with sedating or cognitive side-effects. Future research should use standardized classification systems for seizures and EA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Lejeune
- GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Centre Du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Institute of NeuroScience, Université Catholique De Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Centre Hospitalier Neurologique William Lennox, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Nathan Zasler
- Concussion Care Centre of Virginia and Tree of Life Services. Department of PM&R, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Anna Estraneo
- Neurology Unit, Santa Maria Della Pietà General Hospital, Nola, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
| | - Olivier Bodart
- GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Centre Du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Epileptology Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Wendy L Magee
- Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Centre Du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|