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Vegetative State Two Decades After the Multi-Society Task Force (MSTF) Report

  • Chapter
Brain Function and Responsiveness in Disorders of Consciousness

Abstract

Two decades after the MSTF report:

  • The classification of patients with DoC has improved due to the use of stringent protocols.

  • Clinical/behavior evaluation remains the golden standard in determining VS/MCS.

  • Custodial care of VS/MCS patients has improved.

  • Neuroimaging has shown that the vegetative brain is more complex than previously envisioned and may retain some capacity for higher levels of neuro-functioning.

  • The prognostic indicators of outcome remain etiology, age, and duration of VS/MCS.

  • No treatment for VS/MCS has emerged, and the patient’s outcome remains poor.

  • The cost/benefit analysis of VS shows a severe burden to family and society and must be considered in the evaluation of nation health-care needs.

  • The issue of “consciousness” and “perception of pain” remains an insolvable conundrum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Loyola University of Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA

    Gastone G. Celesia MD, MSc

  2. Chicago Council on Science and Technology, Chicago, IL, USA

    Gastone G. Celesia MD, MSc

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Correspondence to Gastone G. Celesia MD, MSc .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Psychology and Neurosurgery, University of California, L.A., Los Angeles, California, USA

    Martin M. Monti

  2. Dept of Neurosc, Ophthalmol and Genetics, University of Genova, Genova, Italy

    Walter G. Sannita

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Celesia, G.G. (2016). Vegetative State Two Decades After the Multi-Society Task Force (MSTF) Report. In: Monti, M., Sannita, W. (eds) Brain Function and Responsiveness in Disorders of Consciousness. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21425-2_13

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