Coma / Vegetative State

A coma is a profound or deep state of unconsciousness (consciousness being the awareness of the self and the environment). People in a state of coma are alive but unable to move or respond to their environment. Coma may occur as a complication of an underlying illness or as a result of an injury, like a brain injury.

Professional Caregiver Burnout with Patients in Minimally Conscious State
By: BrainLine | Research Update | January 28, 2013
Working with patients with severe brain injury can cause emotional exhaustion.

¿Cómo afectan los traumatismos cerebrales al estado de conciencia?
By: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud | Spanish | March 15, 2010
Aprende cómo un traumatismo cerebral puede causar problemas con la capacidad para despertar, el estado de conciencia, la vigilancia y la receptividad.

An Interview with Joseph Giacino, PhD
By: Peter Patrick, PhD | January 1, 2009
Learn about the needs and care of individuals with disorders of consciousness.

Of Mind and Matter: Understanding Consciousness
By: Laurie Meyers | June 1, 2007
An exploration on questions surrounding coma and consciousness of the brain.

Coma and Persistent Vegetative State
By: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke | February 1, 2007
What do these states of minimal consciousness exactly mean?

Facts About the Vegetative and Minimally Conscious States After Severe Brain Injury
By: Mark Sherer, Ph.D., Monica Vaccaro, M.S., John Whyte, MD, Ph.D., Joseph T. Giacino, Ph.D., and the Consciousness Consortium | January 1, 2007
Brain injury can cause a wide range of disturbances of consciousness. Learn more.

Brain Trauma, Concussion, and Coma
By: Peter M. Black, Patricio C. Gargollo, and Adam C. Lipson | January 1, 2007
Learn about the anatomy of different brain traumas.