Tutorial: Resting state fMRI as a means to assess the consciousness after severe brain injury

Consciousness is a complex construct with no universal definition. Especially in pathological conditions how can one reliably observe and measure it? Behavioural evaluation is not straightforward, despite systematic assessments, due to patients’ physical and cognitive condition. Yet, the diagnosis of disorders of consciousness has been notably facilitated by means of technological modalities. Here, we will see how systems-level functional neuroimaging has assisted clinical evaluation, how it can potentially be informative of clinical outcome, and what these findings teach us about typical conscious states. As this type of research touches upon philosophical and ethical issues, we will discuss the emerging neuroethical concerns stemming from the research of this challenging population.