The neural correlate of (un)awareness: lessons from the vegetative state

Laureys, Steven (2005) The neural correlate of (un)awareness: lessons from the vegetative state. Trends Cogn Sci, 9. pp. 556-559.

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Official URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_method=citationSearch&_uoikey=B6VH9-4HGD7GF-2&_origin=SDEMFRHTML&_version=1&md5=c16cac71c2a7488f28a07e85b3c8f938

Alternative URL: http://espra.neuf.fr/SL_TICS05.pdf

Abstract

The vegetative state is characterized by wakefulness without awareness. Awareness is difficult to asses in non-communicative patients. Functional neuroimaging shows that some parts of the cortex are still functioning in “vegetative” patients. External - for example painful - stimulation in these patients still activates “primary” sensory cortices but these are functionally disconnected form “higher order” associative areas needed for awareness. Such studies are disentangling the neural correlates of the vegetative from the minimally conscious state and have major clinical consequences.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	consciousness, coma, vegetative state, awareness, sleep, sleepwalking, epilepsia, neural correlate
Disciplines:	Neuroscience
Topics:	Clinical disorders
Article Type:	Review
ID Code:	194
Deposited By:	Dr Steven Laureys
Deposited On:	11 December 2006

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