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Behavioral Assessment and Diagnosis of Disorders of Consciousness

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Coma and Disorders of Consciousness

Abstract

Accurately diagnosing patients with a disorder of consciousness represents a real challenge. The recovery of consciousness is usually gradual, sometimes marked by clear signs of consciousness, but more often these signs are subtle. The assessment of residual cognitive functioning is complicated by vigilance fluctuations, motor deficits and other confounding factors. The knowledge of diagnostic criteria and the use of valid and sensitive standardized scales are therefore essential to establish a precise diagnosis. In this chapter, we will present the main disorders of consciousness (i.e., brain death, coma, vegetative state and minimally conscious state) that can occur in severely brain-injured patients and the commonly used behavioral instruments for the assessment of consciousness.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

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

    Caroline Schnakers Ph.D. & Steve Majerus Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology, Cognition and Behavior, University of Liège, Boulevard du Rectorat 3 B33, 4000, Liège, Belgium

    Steve Majerus Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Caroline Schnakers Ph.D.
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  2. Steve Majerus Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Caroline Schnakers Ph.D. .

Editor information

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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Schnakers, C., Majerus, S. (2012). Behavioral Assessment and Diagnosis of Disorders of Consciousness. In: Schnakers, C., Laureys, S. (eds) Coma and Disorders of Consciousness. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2440-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2440-5_1

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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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