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Differences in Coma, PVS, Minimally Conscious & Locked-In Syndrom
Ever wonder what the differences are between coma, persistent vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and locked-in syndrome?
Here’s an excellent chart that outlines the various characteristics of each condition. As Jake Young at Pure Pedantry eloquently puts it:
“To emphasize the point, there is a huge area of difference between someone who has essentially only the housekeeping functions in the brain and someone who — for reasons metabolic or traumatic — comes in and out of consciousness intermittently. It is very unfortunate that Terry Wallis was misdiagnosed in this case, because the prognosis for individuals with minimally conscious state — while not fabulous — is much better than for a persistent vegetative state.”
Click here to read his great explanation on the appeal of the Terry Wallis case.
