Document Detail


Diagnosing consciousness: neuroimaging, law, and the vegetative state.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20579234     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
In this paper, we review recent neuroimaging investigations of disorders of consciousness and different disciplines' understanding of consciousness itself. We consider potential tests of consciousness, their legal significance, and how they map onto broader themes in U.S. statutory law pertaining to advance directives and surrogate decision-making. In the process, we outline a taxonomy of themes to illustrate and clarify the variance in state-law definitions of consciousness. Finally, we discuss broader scientific, ethical, and legal issues associated with the advent of neuroimaging for disorders of consciousness and conclude with policy recommendations that could help to mitigate confusion in this realm.
Authors:
Carl E Fisher; Paul S Appelbaum
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of law, medicine & ethics : a journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics     Volume:  38     ISSN:  1748-720X     ISO Abbreviation:  J Law Med Ethics     Publication Date:  2010  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-28     Completed Date:  2010-11-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9315583     Medline TA:  J Law Med Ethics     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  374-85     Citation Subset:  T    
Affiliation:
Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Advance Care Planning / ethics,  legislation & jurisprudence
Brain Death* / diagnosis,  legislation & jurisprudence
Consciousness Disorders / classification,  diagnosis*
Decision Making
Diagnostic Imaging* / ethics,  methods
Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological* / ethics
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Persistent Vegetative State / diagnosis*
Positron-Emission Tomography
Proxy / legislation & jurisprudence
United States

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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