Clinical grading diagnosis of disorder of consciousness (DOC) patients relies on behavioral assessment, which has certain limitations. Combining multi-modal technologies and brain-computer interface (BCI) paradigms can assist in identifying patients with minimally conscious state (MCS) and vegetative state (VS). This study collected electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals under motor BCI paradigms from 14 DOC patients, who were divided into two groups based on clinical scores: 7 in the MCS group and 7 in the VS group. We calculated event-related desynchronization (ERD) and motor decoding accuracy to analyze the effectiveness of motor BCI paradigms in detecting consciousness states. The results showed that the classification accuracies for left-hand and right-hand movement tasks using EEG were 93.28% and 76.19% for the MCS and VS groups, respectively; the classification precisions using fNIRS were 53.72% and 49.11% for these groups. When combining EEG and fNIRS features, the classification accuracies for left-hand and right-hand movement tasks in the MCS and VS groups were 95.56% and 87.38%, respectively. Although there was no statistically significant difference in motor decoding accuracy between the two groups, significant differences in ERD were observed between different consciousness states during left-hand movement tasks ( P < 0.001). This study demonstrates that motor BCI paradigms can assist in assessing the level of consciousness, with EEG being more sensitive for evaluating residual motor intention intensity. Moreover, the ERD feature of motor intention intensity is more sensitive than BCI classification accuracy.
Humans ; Brain-Computer Interfaces ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Consciousness Disorders/diagnosis* ; Male ; Movement ; Adult ; Female ; Intention ; Persistent Vegetative State/diagnosis*

Brain ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Consciousness ; drug effects ; physiology ; Consciousness Disorders ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Research

With the development of modern international medicine, the subject of disorders of consciousness (DOCs) has begun to be raised in mainland China. Much progress has been made to date in several specialties related to the management of chronic DOC patients in China. In this article, we briefly review the present status of DOC studies in China, specifically concerning diagnosis, prognosis, therapy, and rehabilitation. The development of DOC-related scientific organizations and activities in China are introduced. Some weaknesses that need improvement are also noted. The current program provides a good foundation for future development.
China ; Consciousness Disorders ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans

Visual fixation is an item in the visual function subscale of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Sometimes clinicians using the behavioral scales find it difficult to detect because of the motor impairment in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOCs). Brain-computer interface (BCI) can be used to improve clinical assessment because it directly detects the brain response to an external stimulus in the absence of behavioral expression. In this study, we designed a BCI system to assist the visual fixation assessment of DOC patients. The results from 15 patients indicated that three showed visual fixation in both CRS-R and BCI assessments and one did not show such behavior in the CRS-R assessment but achieved significant online accuracy in the BCI assessment. The results revealed that electroencephalography-based BCI can detect the brain response for visual fixation. Therefore, the proposed BCI may provide a promising method for assisting behavioral assessment using the CRS-R.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Brain-Computer Interfaces ; Consciousness Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Evoked Potentials ; Female ; Fixation, Ocular ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Examination ; Pilot Projects ; Severity of Illness Index ; User-Computer Interface

Autoimmune encephalitis causes subacute deficits of memory and cognition, often followed by suppressed level of consciousness or coma. A careful history and examination may show early clues to particular autoimmune causes, such as neuromyotonia, hyperekplexia, psychosis, dystonia, or the presence of particular tumors. Ancillary testing with MRI and EEG may be helpful for excluding other causes, managing seizures, and, rarely, for identifying characteristic findings. Appropriate autoantibody testing can confirm specific diagnoses, although this is often done in parallel with exclusion of infectious and other causes. Autoimmune encephalitis may be divided into several groups of diseases: those with pathogenic antibodies to cell surface proteins, those with antibodies to intracellular synaptic proteins, T-cell diseases associated with antibodies to intracellular antigens, and those associated with other autoimmune disorders. Many forms of autoimmune encephalitis are paraneoplastic, and each of these conveys a distinct risk profile for various tumors. Tumor screening and, if necessary, treatment is essential to proper management. Most forms of autoimmune encephalitis respond to immune therapies, although powerful immune suppression for weeks or months may be needed in difficult cases. Autoimmune encephalitis may relapse, so follow-up care is important.
Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis ; Antibodies ; Cognition ; Coma ; Consciousness ; Diagnosis* ; Dystonia ; Electroencephalography ; Encephalitis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Isaacs Syndrome ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mass Screening ; Membrane Proteins ; Memory ; Psychotic Disorders ; Recurrence ; Seizures ; Stiff-Person Syndrome ; T-Lymphocytes

Hemorrhagic metastatic brain tumors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare and have been mostly presented as intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). A 51-year-old male patient presented with sudden altered level of consciousness. He suffered from HCC since 2010 and transarterial chemoembolization was performed three times for HCC. The brain computed tomography (CT) scans revealed subdural hematoma (SDH) in the right fronto-temporal area and 6.0x3.5 cm sized ICH in the right parieto-occipital lobe. Brain angiographic CT scans demonstrated that the hemorrhagic lesions did not include any enhancing lesions and vascular abnormalities. We undertook a decompressive craniectomy and evacuation of the acute SDH and ICH. During evacuation of ICH, the yellowish mass was observed in the cortical surface of the right occipital lobe. Pathological examination displayed the findings of metastatic brain tumor from HCC. Metastatic brain tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis as a cause of spontaneous SDH with ICH.
Brain Neoplasms ; Brain* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Consciousness Disorders ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematoma, Subdural* ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Occipital Lobe ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to know differences of characteristics between presenile and senile patients who were consulted to the department of psychiatry during medical-surgical admission. METHODS: The demographic and clinical data obtained from the medical records of psychiatric consultation in the presenile inpatients with age 50 to 64 years(N=162) and those of the senile inpatients with age over 65 years(N=171) were reviewed and compared. RESULTS: 1) The most common chief complaints for psychiatric consultation in presenile patients were somatic symptoms, anxiety and sleep disturbance in order, while cognitive decline, clouded consciousness and depressed mood were most common in senile patients with statistical significance. 2) The most frequent psychiatric diagnoses after consultation in presenile patients were delirium, mood disorder and substance use disorder in order, while delirium, mood disorder and major neurocognitive disorder were most frequent in senile patients with statistical significance. 3) There were no significant difference in numbers of physical illnesses, while numbers of therapeutic drugs for them were more in senile patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found significant differences between presenile and senile patients on psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses in geropsychiatric consultation. Therefore, more subdivided age-specific approach seems to be needed for the geropsychiatric consultation activities.
Anxiety ; Consciousness ; Delirium ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Medical Records ; Mood Disorders ; Substance-Related Disorders

No abstract available.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*adverse effects ; Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use ; Cephalosporins/*adverse effects ; Consciousness Disorders/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Diabetic Nephropathies/complications/*therapy ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Bacterial/complications/*drug therapy ; *Renal Dialysis ; Status Epilepticus/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Uremia/therapy

Catastrophic neurological events can occur rarely in anesthetic recovery period and they must be quickly diagnosed. We report here on a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) that developed during the anesthesia recovery period in a 52-year-old man who had undergone uneventful orthopedic surgery. He had predisposing factors including 25 year history of heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. The risk of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage following non-cardiovascular and non-neurovascular surgery is exceedingly small during the anesthesia recovery period, especially for a patient with no history of hypertension and coagulopathy. We also describe the differential diagnosis of an altered mental status that occurs during anesthetic recovery period.
Alcohol Drinking ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Consciousness ; Consciousness Disorders ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedics ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to describe accompanying ocular findings, especially optic neuropathy, in a patient with MELAS syndrome. METHODS: A 10-year-old male patient who had lactic acidosis and neurological symptoms (loss of consciousness, vomiting, epilepsy, decreased vision, and constricted visual field), underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a molecular genetic analysis. RESULTS: A diagnosis of cerebral infarction due to occlusion in the right posterior cerebral artery was made and confirmed by MRI scan. The diagnosis of MELAS syndrome was confirmed by performing molecular genetic analysis demonstrating the transformation of the mitochondrial tRNAleu(UUR) gene (MTTL1) A to G(3243). According to the ocular examinations, the patient's left eye showed decreased vision, hemianopsia, relative afferent pupillary defects, mild swelling of optic nerve, and decreased amplitude on visual evoked potential exam. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered a case of MELAS syndrome involving optic neuropathy, which can (although rarely) occur with this syndrome. Therefore, in patients with an optic neuropathy of uncertain etiology, clinicians should consider performing comprehensive ocular exams and molecular genetic exams to rule out the possibility of genetic diseases.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction ; Child ; Consciousness ; Diagnosis ; Epilepsy ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Hemianopsia ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; MELAS Syndrome* ; Molecular Biology ; Optic Nerve ; Optic Nerve Diseases* ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Pupil Disorders ; Vomiting