Chronic diseases of consciousness (CDC) can still be considered a challenging frontier for modern medicine, probably because of their not completely understood physiopathological mechanisms. Following encouraging evidence on cerebral hemodynamics, some authors have hypothesized a role for neuromodulation in the treatment of CDC patients. In the past 40 years, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been used experimentally for the treatment of patients in a severe altered state of consciousness, with some interesting but not conclusive results. The present review summarizes the data currently available in the literature on this particular and debated topic. On these grounds, further clinical studies are needed to better understand the altered dynamics of neuronal network circuits in CDC patients as a step towards novel therapeutic strategies.

Recovery from chronic diseases of consciousness: State of the art in neuromodulation for persistent vegetative state and minimally conscious state

BARBAGALLO, GIUSEPPE MARIA;
2017-01-01

Abstract

Chronic diseases of consciousness (CDC) can still be considered a challenging frontier for modern medicine, probably because of their not completely understood physiopathological mechanisms. Following encouraging evidence on cerebral hemodynamics, some authors have hypothesized a role for neuromodulation in the treatment of CDC patients. In the past 40 years, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been used experimentally for the treatment of patients in a severe altered state of consciousness, with some interesting but not conclusive results. The present review summarizes the data currently available in the literature on this particular and debated topic. On these grounds, further clinical studies are needed to better understand the altered dynamics of neuronal network circuits in CDC patients as a step towards novel therapeutic strategies.
2017
978-3-319-39546-3
DBS; Disorders of consciousness; Minimally conscious state; Neuromodulation; SCS; Vegetative state; Surgery; Neurology (clinical)
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/309896
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 14
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 14
social impact