Differential Diagnosis and Management of Incomplete Locked-In Syndrome after Traumatic Brain Injury

Table 4

Primary classifications for disorders of consciousness.

Specific disorder of consciousness	Defining features
Coma	Unconscious and unaware with disruption of the reticular activating system of the brainstem.
Unresponsive wakefulness	Partially conscious and no awareness, with preservation of brainstem structures.
Minimally conscious state	Limited but clear evidence for awareness of self/environment with inconsistent but reproducible goal-directed behaviors. Brainstem structures intact.