Arousal by stimulation of deep-brain nuclei.

Overview

Schiff et al. show that deep-brain stimulation of the unspecific thalamocortical system through certain midline thalamic nuclei produces an alerting effect in a patient in a minimally conscious state. Such nuclei include the central lateral nucleus, paralaminar regions of the median dorsalis, and the posterior-medial aspect of the centromedian/parafascicularis nucleus complex.