minimally conscious state

A minimally conscious state is a condition where a person has severely altered consciousness but retains some limited awareness of themselves or their environment. Unlike coma, they may occasionally respond to stimuli with gestures, eye movements, or brief sounds. They are not fully conscious or able to communicate reliably, but there are signs of awareness, such as following objects or localizing pain. This state often occurs after brain injury, and recovery varies. It reflects a partially functioning brain where some neural activity is ongoing but not enough for full consciousness.