Updated AAN Guidelines on prolonged disorders of consciousness

This comprehensive report from the American Academy of Neurology, in collaboration with the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, provides updated guidelines for managing prolonged disorders of consciousness (DoC) in both adults and children. It outlines diagnostic accuracy improvements, including the use of standardized assessments and multimodal evaluations, while emphasizing the importance of serial assessments due to fluctuating patient states. The document offers detailed prognostic recommendations, especially concerning traumatic versus non-traumatic injuries, and stresses the need for early family counseling regarding long-term care and disability. Finally, it addresses treatment approaches, notably recommending amantadine for specific adult DoC cases, and advises caution regarding unvalidated therapies.