The integrity of thalamo-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tract: a key factor in residual consciousness in disorders of consciousness patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mesocircuit model describes a complex network that includes the prefrontal cortical-striatopallidal-thalamo-cortical loop systems and is involved in the mechanism underlying consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). Inhibitory signals to the thalamus become hyperactive in DoC patients, leading to a loss of consciousness. Reactivating this mesocircuit system is important for recovering consciousness in these patients. We investigated how the residual integrity of the thalamo-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tract (TDLPFCT) influences consciousness in patients with DoC.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study included three groups: prolonged DoC (n = 20), stroke without DoC (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 20).

SUBMITTER: Jung JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11349516 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature