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Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports

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01-12-2019 | Apallic Syndrome | Behavior (H. S. Kirshner, Section Editor)

Can Salient Stimuli Enhance Responses in Disorders of Consciousness? A Systematic Review

Authors: Alfonso Magliacano, Francesco De Bellis, Alejandro Galvao-Carmona, Anna Estraneo, Luigi Trojano

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 12/2019

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Diagnostic classification of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) is based on clinician’s observation of volitional behaviours. However, patients’ caregivers often report higher levels of responsiveness with respect to those observed during the clinical assessment. Thus, increasing efforts have been aimed at comprehending the effects of self-referential and emotional stimuli on patients’ responsiveness. Here we systematically reviewed the original experimental studies that compared behavioural and electrophysiological responses with salient vs. neutral material in patients in vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or in minimally conscious state.

Recent Findings

Most of the reviewed studies showed that salient stimuli (i.e. patient’s own or familiar faces, patient’s own name, and familiar voices) seem to elicit a higher amount of behavioural or electrophysiological responses with respect to neutral pictures or sounds. Importantly, a quite high percentage of patients seem to respond to salient stimuli only.

Summary

The present review could foster use of personally salient stimuli in assessing DoC. However, the low overall quality of evidence and some limitations in the general reviewing process might induce caution in transferring these suggestions into clinical practice.

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Title: Can Salient Stimuli Enhance Responses in Disorders of Consciousness? A Systematic Review
Authors: Alfonso Magliacano
Francesco De Bellis
Alejandro Galvao-Carmona
Anna Estraneo
Luigi Trojano
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Apallic Syndrome
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 12/2019
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-019-1018-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Can Salient Stimuli Enhance Responses in Disorders of Consciousness? A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

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