Schiff et al. reply

Replying to: H. Staunton Nature 452, 10.1038/nature06574 (2008)Staunton highlights prior work applying deep-brain stimulation (DBS) in related thalamic and other subcortical structures in vegetative-state patients. We focused on patients who have plateaued at the upper end of the minimally conscious state at least one year after injury, a group distinct from patients remaining in or just above vegetative state within the low end of the minimally conscious state. Patients remaining in a chronic vegetative state have anatomic pathology consistent with widespread neuronal death and cerebral disconnection. In these patients, forebrain structures within the corticostriatopallidal-thalamocortical systems have been overwhelmingly damaged .