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Deep Brain Stimulation

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Coma and Disorders of Consciousness

Abstract

Currently, disorders of consciousness are relatively well defined but therapeutic options remain relatively restricted. Because empirical evidence for pharmacological treatments is missing, another therapeutic option, while invasive, is increasingly considered. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) aims to treat neurological disorders by stimulating particular brain structures using a surgically implanted neurostimulator. This technique is used in different neurological diseases but mainly in Parkinson’s disease, for which technological advances have allowed the treatment of a large number of patients. Since the 1950s, the number of DBS studies on vigilance and disorders of consciousness still grows. Nowadays, results of DBS for the treatment of disorders of consciousness are becoming more and more promising. We propose in this chapter a description of the DBS technique, an outline of previous clinical applications, a review of studies using this technique in patients with disorders of consciousness, along with a summary of mechanisms explaining the efficacy of DBS for treating these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coma Science Group, Cyclotron Research Center, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août, 8, Sart-Tilman B30, 4000, Liège, Belgium

    Marie Thonnard M.Sc.

  2. Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Marie Thonnard M.Sc.

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  1. Marie Thonnard M.Sc.
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Correspondence to Marie Thonnard M.Sc. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août 8, Liège, B-4000, Belgium

    Caroline Schnakers

  2. , Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août 8, Liège, 4000, Belgium

    Steven Laureys

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag London

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Thonnard, M. (2012). Deep Brain Stimulation. In: Schnakers, C., Laureys, S. (eds) Coma and Disorders of Consciousness. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2440-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2440-5_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2439-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2440-5

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