Covert consciousness in behavioral coma.
Brian L Edlow, Matteo Fecchio, Holly J Freeman et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
An 80-year-old woman with acute severe traumatic brain injury presented with behavioral evidence of coma. Comprehensive evaluations using task-based fMRI and EEG revealed covert consciousness, indicating she could modulate her brain activity despite appearing unresponsive. This case highlights the dissociation between awareness and wakefulness, challenging traditional assumptions about coma.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider the possibility of covert consciousness in patients who appear behaviorally unresponsive, as advanced imaging techniques may reveal underlying awareness.
Why it matters
This case underscores the need for a reevaluation of the definitions and assumptions surrounding coma, with significant implications for patient care and ethical considerations.