Pharmacological treatments

Abstract

We review the current state of knowledge for potentially useful drugs acting on the recovery of consciousness in severely brain damaged patients. Exploratory and retrospective studies as well as case reports concerning sporadic cases of spectacular recovery are discussed regarding drugs such as amantadine, levodopa, bromocriptine, apomorphine, methyphenidate, zolpidem, baclofen, sertaline, amitriptyline, desipramine, and lamotrigine. Indications on the underlying mechanisms possibly explaining the effects of these drugs on the awakening and recovery of consciousness are also reported in this challenging population.