Abstract-Objective:To establish consensus recommendations among health care specialties for defining and establishing diagnostic criteria for the minimally conscious state (MCS). Background: There is a subgroup of patients with severe alteration in consciousness who do not meet diagnostic criteria for coma or the vegetative state (VS). These patients demonstrate inconsistent but discernible evidence of consciousness. It is important to distinguish patients in MCS from those in coma and VS because preliminary findings suggest that there are meaningful differences in outcome. Methods: An evidence-based literature review of disorders of consciousness was completed to define MCS, develop diagnostic criteria for entry into MCS, and identify markers for emergence to higher levels of cognitive function. Results: There were insufficient data to establish evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis, prognosis, and management of MCS. Therefore, a consensusbased case definition with behaviorally referenced diagnostic criteria was formulated to facilitate future empirical investigation. Conclusions: MCS is characterized by inconsistent but clearly discernible behavioral evidence of consciousness and can be distinguished from coma and VS by documenting the presence of specific behavioral features not found in either of these conditions. Patients may evolve to MCS from coma or VS after acute brain injury. MCS may also result from degenerative or congenital nervous system disorders. This condition is often transient but may also exist as a permanent outcome. Defining MCS should promote further research on its epidemiology, neuropathology, natural history, and management.

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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics were correlated to the changes in ventricular size during the first 3 months posttrauma in patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score < or = 8, 75 patients) to distinguish between atrophy and hydrocephalus as the two possible causes of posttraumatic ventriculomegaly. Using the bolus injection technique, the baseline intracranial pressure (ICP), pressure volume index, and resistance for CSF absorption (R0) provided a three-dimensional profile of CSF dynamics that was correlated with ventricular size and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 3, 6, and 12 months posttrauma. Patients were separated into five different groups based on changes in ventricular size, presence of atrophy, and CSF dynamics. Group 1 (normal group, 41.3%) demonstrated normal ventricular size and normal ICP. Group 2 (benign intracranial hypertension group, 14.7%) showed normal ventricular size and elevated ICP. Group 3 (atrophy group, 24%) displayed ventriculomegaly, normal ICP, and normal R0. Group 4 (normal-pressure hydrocephalus group, 9.3%) had ventriculomegaly, normal ICP, and high R0. Group 5 (high-pressure hydrocephalus group, 10.7%) showed ventriculomegaly and elevated ICP with or without high R0. The GOS score in the nonhydrocephalic groups (Groups 1, 2, and 3) was better than in the hydrocephalic groups (Groups 4 and 5). It is concluded from these results that 44% of head injury survivors may develop posttraumatic ventriculomegaly. Posttraumatic hydrocephalus, as identified by abnormal CSF dynamics, was diagnosed in 20% of survivors and their outcome was significantly worse. This study demonstrates the importance of using CSF dynamics as an aid in diagnosis of posttraumatic hydrocephalus and identifying those patients who may benefit from shunt placement.

More neuroimaging research is needed before clinical implementation to reach the single-subject diagnosis level, as well as to address the sensitivity and specificity of each technique, whether single or combined.

Objective.This international multi-center, prospective, observational study aimed at identifying predictors of short-term clinical outcome in patients with prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) due to acquired severe brain injury.Methods.Patients in vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) or in minimally conscious state (MCS) were enrolled within 3 months from their brain injury in 12 specialized medical institutions. Demographic, anamnestic, clinical and neurophysiological data were collected at study entry. Patients were then followed-up for assessing the primary outcome, i.e. clinical diagnosis according to standardized criteria at 6 months post-injury.Results.We enrolled 147 patients (44 women; mean age: 49.4 [95% confidence intervals: 46.1-52.6] years; VS/UWS= 71, MCS= 76; traumatic= 55, vascular= 56, anoxic= 36; mean time post-injury= 59.6 [55.4-63.6] days). The 6-month follow-up was complete for 143 patients (VS/UWS= 70; MCS= 73). With respect to study entry, the clinical diagnosis improved in 72 patients (VS/UWS= 27; MCS= 45). Younger age, shorter time post-injury, higher Coma Recovery Scale-Revised total score and presence of EEG reactivity to eye opening at study entry predicted better outcome, whereas etiology, clinical diagnosis, Disability Rating Scale score, EEG background activity, acoustic reactivity and P300 on event related potentials were not associated with outcome.Conclusions.Multimodal assessment could identify patients with higher likelihood of clinical improvement in order to help clinicians, families and funding sources with various aspects of decision-making. This multi-center, international study aims to stimulate further research that drives international consensus regarding standardization of prognostic procedures for patients with DoC.

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This review article examines the effect of chronic pain on neuropsychological functioning. Primary attention is given to studies that include patient groups without a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or neurologic disorders. Numerous studies were identified that demonstrate neuropsychological impairment in patients with chronic pain, particularly on measures assessing attentional capacity, processing speed, and psychomotor speed. Despite suggestive findings, further studies are needed to clarify the variables that mediate the impact of pain on neuropsychological functioning and the unique role of various symptoms often associated with chronic pain.

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