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Functional MRI and Outcome in Traumatic Coma

  • Neurotrauma (J Levine)
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Abstract

Advances in task-based functional MRI (fMRI), resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI), and arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI have occurred at a rapid pace in recent years. These techniques for measuring brain function have great potential to improve the accuracy of prognostication for civilian and military patients with traumatic coma. In addition, fMRI, rs-fMRI, and ASL perfusion MRI have provided novel insights into the pathophysiology of traumatic disorders of consciousness, as well as the mechanisms of recovery from coma. However, functional neuroimaging techniques have yet to achieve widespread clinical use as prognostic tests for patients with traumatic coma. Rather, a broad spectrum of methodological hurdles currently limits the feasibility of clinical implementation. In this review, we discuss the basic principles of fMRI, rs-fMRI, and ASL perfusion MRI and their potential applications as prognostic tools for patients with traumatic coma. We also discuss future strategies for overcoming the current barriers to clinical implementation.

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Acknowledgments

The contents of this article were developed with support from the National Institutes of Health (R25NS065743), the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (Boston, MA, USA), and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, United States Department of Education (H133A120085; Spaulding–Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and endorsement by the federal government should not be assumed.

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Conflict of Interest

Brian L. Edlow and Ona Wu declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Joseph T. Giacino has been a consultant for Craig Rehabilitation Hospital and Frazier Rehabilitation Hospital, has served as an expert witness consultant on five legal cases in the last 36 months involving patients with disorders of consciousness concerning diagnosis, prognosis, pain and suffering, and adequacy of treatment, and has received grant support from the James S. McDonnell Foundation.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article contains imaging data from a human subject that were acquired as part of a study approved by our hospital's Institutional Review Board. Informed consent for the study was provided by the subject's legal guardian.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street – Lunder 650, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Brian L. Edlow

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 300 First Avenue, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA

    Joseph T. Giacino

  3. Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, CNY 2301, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA

    Ona Wu

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  1. Brian L. Edlow
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Correspondence to Brian L. Edlow.

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Edlow, B.L., Giacino, J.T. & Wu, O. Functional MRI and Outcome in Traumatic Coma. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 13, 375 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-013-0375-y

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