Chronic disorders of consciousness (DoC) refers to a pathological state of continuous coma for more than 28 days after the onset of the disease. According to the level of consciousness of patients, DoC can be divided into vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS)[1]。 The pathogenic factors are divided into two categories: trauma and non-trauma. Trauma is the first cause of DoC, and non-trauma factors include hypoxic encephalopathy and stroke[2]。 The pathogenesis of DoC remains unclear. It is generally considered that intact ascending reticular activation system-thalamic-cortical and cortical-cortical circuits are necessary for the existence of consciousness. The neural circuit composed of the central thalamus, frontal lobe and occipital cortex plays a key role in this network. Severe brain injury affects the regulatory function of this circuit, which can lead to severe and persistent consciousness disorders[3]。 The survival time of DoC patients is generally 2 to 5 years, the survival time of non-trauma patients is shorter than that of trauma patients, and the survival time of VS patients is shorter than that of MCS patients. The prognosis of patients with trauma and MCS is significantly better than that of non-trauma and VS patients, but some patients with MCS will be stagnant in MCS for a long time[4]。
