The vegetative state.

The article presents a clinical review of the condition called vegetative state. The causes of the condition include traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease. It is characterised by an apparent dissociation between awareness and wakefulness, which are the two major elements of consciousness. The three main clinical features of vegetative state are cited, as well as its causes. Information is also presented on the factors that affect prognosis in patients with a diagnosis of vegetative state and the occurrence of misdiagnosis.