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Functional neuroimaging is emerging as a novel tool to evaluate patients with disorders of consciousness. This Viewpoint looks at one of the most vexing ethical challenges resulting from this development: how should doctors react if families request a functional MRI scan for a loved one who is in a limited state of consciousness?
The concept of consciousness has evolved as technology has progressed, and our understanding of coma and disorders of consciousness has deepened accordingly. In this Viewpoint, Steven Laureys traces the beginnings of coma research and shows how the introduction of functional neuroimaging has revolutionized this field.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia—a condition that is characterized by overproduction of IgM antibodies and most commonly occurs in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma—is often accompanied by nervous system complications, such as peripheral neuropathy or complications related to serum hyperviscosity. This Review provides an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of such neurological manifestations.
Over the past few years, evidence has accumulated to indicate that B cells have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and inflammatory myopathies. In this article, Marinos Dalakas highlights the roles of B cells in these and other autoimmune disorders, and summarizes the experience to date with anti-B-cell therapies, focusing particularly on the B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody rituximab.
