Table 1 Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Categories

1. Good cerebral performance

Conscious: Alert, able to work and lead a normal life. May have minor psychological or neurological deficits (mild dysphasia, nonincapacitating hemiparesis, or minor cranial nerve abnormalities).

2.Moderate cerebral disability

Conscious. Sufficient cerebral function for part-time work in sheltered environment or independent activities of daily life (dressing, traveling by public transportation, preparing food). May have hemiplegia, seizures, ataxia, dysarthria, dysphasia, or permanent memory or mental changes.

3.Severe cerebral disability

Conscious. Dependent on others for daily support because of impaired brain function (in an institution or at home with exceptional family effort). At least limited cognition. Includes a wide range of cerebral abnormalities from ambulatory with severe memory disturbance or dementia precluding independent existence, to paralytic and able to communicate only with eyes (locked-in syndrome).

4. Coma, vegetative state

Not conscious. Unaware of surroundings, no cognition. No verbal or psychological interactions with environment.

5. Death

Certified brain dead or dead by traditional criteria.