Multimodal MRI reveals three-tiered pathological co-alterations in prolonged disorders of consciousness: structural disconnection, network disintegration, and regional hyperconnectivity

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Prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDoC) include Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome and Minimally Conscious State, with varying recovery prognoses.
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This study utilized resting-state fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging to identify neuroimaging abnormalities in pDoC patients.
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pDoC patients showed reduced fractional anisotropy in the left anterior corona radiata and disrupted functional connectivity in cortical networks.
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CRS-R scores correlated positively with ACR-L fractional anisotropy and prefrontal regional homogeneity, indicating potential biomarkers.
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The findings highlight three levels of pathological changes in pDoC: structural disconnection, network disruption, and regional hyperconnectivity.

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