Relationship between the anterior forebrain mesocircuit and the default mode network in the structural bases of disorders of consciousness.

ABSTRACT: The specific neural bases of disorders of consciousness (DOC) are still not well understood. Some studies have suggested that functional and structural impairments in the default mode network may play a role in explaining these disorders. In contrast, others have proposed that dysfunctions in the anterior forebrain mesocircuit involving striatum, globus pallidus, and thalamus may be the main underlying mechanism. Here, we provide the first report of structural integrity of fiber tracts connecting the nodes of the mesocircuit and the default mode network in 8 patients with DOC. We found evidence of significant damage to subcortico-cortical and cortico-cortical fibers, which were more severe in vegetative state patients and correlated with clinical severity as determined by Coma Recovery Sca

SUBMITTER: Lant ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4660379 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature