RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Awakenings from persistent vegetative state: report of three cases with parkinsonism and brain stem lesions on MRI
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 1571
OP 1573
DO 10.1136/jnnp.74.11.1571
VO 74
IS 11
A1 Matsuda, W
A1 Matsumura, A
A1 Komatsu, Y
A1 Yanaka, K
A1 Nose, T
YR 2003
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/74/11/1571.abstract
AB Three patients with a persistent vegetative state after severe head injury are reported. They recovered from a prolonged disturbance of consciousness after the administration of levodopa. These patients all had parkinsonian features. On magnetic resonance imaging, the distribution of lesions implied a diffuse axonal injury involving the substantia nigra or ventral tegmental area. The existence of patients whose dopaminergic systems may have been selectively damaged by a severe head injury should be recognised because such individuals may respond to levodopa treatment.