Automated pupillometry to detect command following in neurological patients: a proof-of-concept study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Levels of consciousness in patients with acute and chronic brain injury are notoriously underestimated. Paradigms based on electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may detect covert consciousness in clinically unresponsive patients but are subject to logistical challenges and the need for advanced statistical analysis.

Methods

To assess the feasibility of automated pupillometry for the detection of command following, we enrolled 20 healthy volunteers and 48 patients with a wide range of neurological disorders, including seven patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), who were asked to engage in mental arithmetic.

Results

Fourteen of 20 (70%) healthy volunteers and 17 of 43 (39.5%) neurological patients, including 1 in t

SUBMITTER: Vassilieva A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6521812 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature