BrainsCAN Publications
Title
Covert narrative capacity: Mental life in patients thought to lack consciousness
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Journal
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
First Page
61
Last Page
70
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1002/acn3.376
Abstract
© 2016 The Authors. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc on behalf of American Neurological Association. Despite the apparent absence of external signs of consciousness, a significant proportion of behaviorally nonresponsive patients can respond to commands by willfully modulating their brain activity. However, little is known about the mental life of these patients. We discuss a recent innovative approach, which sheds light on the preserved cognitive capacities of these patients, including executive function, theory of mind, and the experience of affective states. This research represents a fundamental shift in our understanding of these patients, and has important implications for both their continued treatment and care. Moreover, this research marks out avenues for future inquiry into the residual cognitive capacities of these patients.