Integrating qualitative and quantitative MRI analysis for optimizing DBS candidate selection in patients with disorders of consciousness

Integrating conventional MRI-based qualitative and quantitative assessments with clinical and neurophysiological evaluation may substantially improve DBS candidate selection in DoC patients, especially where functional imaging is unavailable. These findings support the development of practical MRI-based decision frameworks and call for multicenter validation. Despite increasing research on imaging and neuromodulation in DoC, studies directly comparing qualitative and quantitative structural MRI in the context of DBS candidacy remain scarce, highlighting a critical gap in the field.