Within the field of neuroscience, the past few decades have witnessed an exponential growth of research into the brain mechanisms underlying both normal and pathological states of consciousness in humans. The development of sophisticated imaging techniques to visualize and map brain activity in vivo has opened new avenues in our understanding of the pathological processes involved in common neuropsychiatric disorders affecting consciousness, such as epilepsy, coma, vegetative states, dissociative disorders, and dementia. This book presents the state of the art in neuroimaging exploration of the brain correlates of the alterations in consciousness across these conditions, with a particular focus on the potential applications for diagnosis and management. Although the book has a practical approach and is primarily targeted at neurologists, neuroradiologists, and psychiatrists, it will also serve as an essential reference for a wide range of researchers and health care professionals.

Part 1 Brain imaging and pathologies of consciousness

Consciousness and neuroscience
Consciousness: theoretical approaches
Functional brain imaging and consciousness
Part 2 Brain imaging and alternations of consciousness in epilepsy
Temporal lobe seizures
Absence seizures
Brain imaging and alterations of consciousness in epilepsy: Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Consciousness, epilepsy and intracranial EEG
Part 3 Brain imaging and alterations of consciousness in coma, sleep and anesthesia
Neuroimaging of consciousness in the vegetative and minimally conscious states
Sleep and consciousness
Anesthesia
Part 4 Brain imaging and alterations of consciousness in neuropsychiatric disorders
Neuroimaging studies of interoception and self-awareness
Neuroimaging of functional neurological symptoms
Neuroimaging studies of the dwindling self: neurodegenerative dementias.