Minimally conscious state: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name                    = Minimally conscious state
| image                  = [[File:Neurowiki_1.GIF|250px]]
| caption                = Brain activity in a minimally conscious state
| field                  = [[Neurology]]
| symptoms                = Fluctuating awareness, limited response to stimuli
| complications          = [[Pressure ulcers]], [[Infections]], [[Deep vein thrombosis]]
| onset                  = After severe [[brain injury]]
| duration                = Can be [[chronic]]
| types                  =
| causes                  = [[Traumatic brain injury]], [[Stroke (medicine)|stroke]], [[Anoxic brain injury]]
| risks                  =
| diagnosis              = [[Clinical assessment]], [[Neuroimaging]]
| differential            = [[Vegetative state]], [[Locked-in syndrome]]
| treatment              = [[Rehabilitation]], [[Medications]]
| medication              = [[Amantadine]], [[Zolpidem]]
| prognosis              = Variable, depends on cause and severity
| frequency              =
| deaths                  =
}}
[[File:Neurowiki2.gif|Minimally conscious state|thumb|left]]
'''Minimally Conscious State''' ('''MCS''') is a disorder of consciousness distinct from [[Persistent vegetative state|persistent vegetative state]] and [[Locked-in syndrome|locked-in syndrome]]. Unlike the persistent vegetative state, patients with MCS have partial preservation of conscious awareness. MCS is a relatively new category of disorders of consciousness, first defined in 2002.
'''Minimally Conscious State''' ('''MCS''') is a disorder of consciousness distinct from [[Persistent vegetative state|persistent vegetative state]] and [[Locked-in syndrome|locked-in syndrome]]. Unlike the persistent vegetative state, patients with MCS have partial preservation of conscious awareness. MCS is a relatively new category of disorders of consciousness, first defined in 2002.
==Definition==
==Definition==
The [[Multi-Society Task Force on PVS]] has defined MCS as a condition of severely altered consciousness in which minimal but definite behavioral evidence of self or environmental awareness is demonstrated. This is in contrast to [[Coma|coma]] and [[Vegetative state|vegetative state]].
The [[Multi-Society Task Force on PVS]] has defined MCS as a condition of severely altered consciousness in which minimal but definite behavioral evidence of self or environmental awareness is demonstrated. This is in contrast to [[Coma|coma]] and [[Vegetative state|vegetative state]].
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of MCS is challenging, as it relies on an absence of a consistent command following, but a presence of reproducible or sustained behaviors that occur in response to stimuli. These behaviors can be visual, auditory, tactile, or noxious and must be reproducible or sustained over time.
Diagnosis of MCS is challenging, as it relies on an absence of a consistent command following, but a presence of reproducible or sustained behaviors that occur in response to stimuli. These behaviors can be visual, auditory, tactile, or noxious and must be reproducible or sustained over time.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
There is no specific treatment or cure for MCS. Management is supportive and rehabilitative, focusing on prevention of complications (such as [[Pneumonia|pneumonia]], [[Pressure ulcer|pressure ulcers]], and [[Contracture|contractures]]), provision of adequate nutrition, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
There is no specific treatment or cure for MCS. Management is supportive and rehabilitative, focusing on prevention of complications (such as [[Pneumonia|pneumonia]], [[Pressure ulcer|pressure ulcers]], and [[Contracture|contractures]]), provision of adequate nutrition, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
The prognosis of patients with MCS is difficult to determine. Some patients may improve with time, while others may remain in a minimally conscious state for years or even decades. The longer a patient is in MCS, the less likely they are to recover full consciousness, although exceptions to this general rule have been reported.
The prognosis of patients with MCS is difficult to determine. Some patients may improve with time, while others may remain in a minimally conscious state for years or even decades. The longer a patient is in MCS, the less likely they are to recover full consciousness, although exceptions to this general rule have been reported.
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Coma]]
* [[Coma]]
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* [[Locked-in syndrome]]
* [[Locked-in syndrome]]
* [[Brain death]]
* [[Brain death]]
[[Category:Consciousness]]
[[Category:Consciousness]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Medical terminology]]
[[Category:Medical terminology]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour]]
{{Neurology-stub}}
{{Neurology-stub}}
{{Med-stub}}
{{Med-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:15, 9 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Minimally conscious state
File:Neurowiki 1.GIF
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fluctuating awareness, limited response to stimuli
Complications Pressure ulcers, Infections, Deep vein thrombosis
Onset After severe brain injury
Duration Can be chronic
Types
Causes Traumatic brain injury, stroke, Anoxic brain injury
Risks
Diagnosis Clinical assessment, Neuroimaging
Differential diagnosis Vegetative state, Locked-in syndrome
Prevention N/A
Treatment Rehabilitation, Medications
Medication Amantadine, Zolpidem
Prognosis Variable, depends on cause and severity
Frequency
Deaths


Minimally conscious state

Minimally Conscious State (MCS) is a disorder of consciousness distinct from persistent vegetative state and locked-in syndrome. Unlike the persistent vegetative state, patients with MCS have partial preservation of conscious awareness. MCS is a relatively new category of disorders of consciousness, first defined in 2002.

Definition[edit]

The Multi-Society Task Force on PVS has defined MCS as a condition of severely altered consciousness in which minimal but definite behavioral evidence of self or environmental awareness is demonstrated. This is in contrast to coma and vegetative state.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of MCS is challenging, as it relies on an absence of a consistent command following, but a presence of reproducible or sustained behaviors that occur in response to stimuli. These behaviors can be visual, auditory, tactile, or noxious and must be reproducible or sustained over time.

Treatment[edit]

There is no specific treatment or cure for MCS. Management is supportive and rehabilitative, focusing on prevention of complications (such as pneumonia, pressure ulcers, and contractures), provision of adequate nutrition, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of patients with MCS is difficult to determine. Some patients may improve with time, while others may remain in a minimally conscious state for years or even decades. The longer a patient is in MCS, the less likely they are to recover full consciousness, although exceptions to this general rule have been reported.

See also[edit]

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