neurologic disorders
Vegetative State and Minimally Conscious State
Key Points
Vegetative state is typically characterized by absence of responsiveness and awareness due to overwhelming dysfunction of the cerebral hemispheres, intact brain stem function, and sometimes the simulation of awareness despite its absence. Minimally conscious state differs from vegetative state in that patients have some interaction with the environment and tend to improve over time. Diagnosis requires exclusion of other disorders and often prolonged observation, particularly to differentiate vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and Parkinson disease. Prognosis tends to be poor, particularly for patients in a vegetative state. Treatment is mainly supportive. 