Deep brain stimulation in the management of disorders of consciousness: a review of physiology, previous reports, and ethical considerations

作者：Sen Anish N; Campbell Peter G^*; Yadla Sanjay; Jallo Jack; Sharan Ashwini D

来源：Neurosurgical Focus, 2010, 29(2): E14.

DOI：10.3171/2010.4.FOCUS1096

• deep brain stimulation
• minimally conscious state
• persistent vegetative state
• thalamus
• disorder of consciousness
• ethics

Patients suffering from disorders of consciousness constitute a population that exists largely outside of the daily practice patterns of neurosurgeons. Historically, treatment has focused on nursing and custodial issues with limited neurosurgical intervention. Recently, however, deep brain stimulation has been explored to restore cognitive and physical function to patients in minimally conscious states. In this article, the authors characterize the physiological mechanisms for the use of deep brain stimulation in persistently vegetative and minimally conscious patients, review published cases and associated ethical concerns, and discuss future directions of this technology. (DOI: 10.3171/2010.4.FOCUS1096)

• 出版日期2010-8