Measuring consciousness through imaging

Abstract

At present, the global hallmark of impaired consciousness appears to be a reduced metabolism in a widespread frontoparietal network and a multifaceted dysfunctional connectivity architecture characterized by intra-/internetwork altered connectivity, both in the sense of decrease and increase. However, despite ongoing efforts, the mechanisms underlying the emergence of consciousness are not thoroughly understood. Moreover, recent studies highlighted diffi culty in forming a diagnosis in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) based only on behavioral assessments. We here aim at providing an overview of the insights that functional and structural neuroimaging techniques can provide in comprehending the mechanism underlying consciousness and assessing patients with DOC.