Vegetative And Minimally Conscious State

A vegetative state is characterized by the lack of responsiveness and attention as a result of a massive impairment of both cerebral hemispheres, but with sufficient residual function of the diencephalon and brain stem, in order to maintain an autonomous and motor reflexes and sleep-wake cycles. Patients can have complex reflexes, incl. Eye movements, yawning and involuntary movements to painful stimuli, but they show no awareness of themselves or their…