Bedside assessment of residual functional activation in minimally conscious state using NIRS and general linear models

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) was employed for the detection of possible residual functional activations in two patients in minimally conscious state. An “ad hoc” protocol for somatosensory and motor stimulations was created and administered to the patients, synchronously to NIRS recordings. One healthy subject was also assessed with the same task for comparison. Results from the healthy subject globally agree with the literature. Moreover, we could obtain significant results from the patients data. Indeed, in one patient, the NIRS channels showing activation completely correspond to regions of residual cortex underneath. In the second patient, though, together with possible residual intact cortex insulae, some channels match large cystic formations, with fluid gathering.