Behavioral assessment and diagnosis of disorders of consciousness

Abstract

Behavioral assessment is a critical step for the detection of signs of consciousness and, hence, for diagnosis of states of altered consciousness. However, because of the presence of compromising factors such as severe functional and cognitive impairment, accurate diagnosis is a challenging enterprise, leading to serious consequences on the patient's ongoing care but also on the patient's end of care. In this review, we will describe the behavioral characteristics of the main clinical entities through which severely brain-injured patients transit before fully recovering from coma, we will describe methods for assessing consciousness at the bedside, and we will discuss the existing tools that help clinicians formulating an accurate diagnosis.