Abstract :
[en] A number of recent studies suggest that some ‘vegetative state’ patients have
been misdiagnosed, judging by their ability to follow commands and in some
cases even communicate through brain activity. Such studies highlight the
difficulty in forming a diagnosis based only on behavioral assessments. We think
that neuroimaging and electrophysiology methods will be used more frequently
in clinical settings, integrated with existing behavioral assessments. Such efforts
are expected to lead to a more accurate understanding of individual patients’
cognitive abilities or even provide prognostic indicators. In terms of treatment
planning (i.e., pain management and end-of-life decision-making), patients with
disorders of consciousness are now offered the possibility of expressing their
preferences by means of brain–computer interfaces. What remains to be clarified
is the degree to which such indirect responses can be considered reliable and
of legal representation.
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
12