Pharmacology of attention and arousal in the low level patient

Issue title: Evaluation and Management of Low Level Neurologic States

Guest editors: Joseph T. GiacinoGuest Editor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Elovic, Elie^{a; b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Center for Head Injury, JFK Johnson Rehabilitative Institution, Hartwyck at Oak Tree Rd., Edison, NJ 08820 | [b] Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine | JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Cognitive Rehabilitation Program, Edison, NJ, USA

Correspondence: [*] Tel: + 1 9089062640. Fax: + 1 9089069241.

Abstract: Pharmacological management of the low level patient is a very challenging prospect for the doctor treating these patients. The use of medications to expedite recovery and improve the function of arousal and attention in this population is both an exciting prospect and at the same time a most daunting task. Review of past literature is of limited value as it consists primarily of case reports, studies with small sample sizes and studies demonstrating limited clinical efficacy. The author has tried in this paper to offer some guidance by reviewing literature defining arousal and attention, briefly discussing the neuroanatomy of the brain, critiquing past literature and offering his own recommendations based on experience.

Keywords: Brain injury, Low level patient, Pharmacology, Stimulants, Dopamine, Antidepressants, Anticonvulsants

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-1996-6107

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 57-67, 1996