Emerging from an unresponsive wakefulness syndrome: Brain plasticity has to cross a threshold level

- Different dysfunctions in cortical and subcortical areas have been reported in UWS.
- To recover consciousness, a minimum level of brain function should be restored.
- Recovery of consciousness necessarily occurs through plastic changes.
- Neuronal plasticity may operate both in cortical and in subcortical areas.
- Rehabilitative programs in UWS should be based on neuroplasticity tenets.