akinetic mutism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No. In a coma, patients are not awake. In akinetic mutism, wakefulness and sleep-wake cycles are preserved; the patient's eyes are open, but they lack the drive to move or speak.

It is typically caused by bilateral damage to the anterior cingulate cortex, medial frontal lobes, or their connecting pathways (like the cingulum bundle), or to deep structures like the thalamus or basal ganglia.

Recovery depends on the cause and extent of the brain damage. Some patients may show gradual improvement, especially if the cause is treatable (like hydrocephalus), while others may have lasting deficits.

In locked-in syndrome, patients are fully conscious and cognitively intact but almost completely paralysed except for vertical eye movements and blinking, which they use to communicate. In akinetic mutism, the core deficit is in motivation and initiation; cognition is often impaired, and patients do not attempt to communicate.

A profound neurological state characterized by severe reduction or absence of voluntary movement (akinesia) and speech (mutism), despite preserved wakefulness.

Akinetic mutism is usually formal, technical/medical in register.

Akinetic mutism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.kɪˈnet.ɪk ˈmjuː.tɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.kɪˈnet̬.ɪk ˈmjuː.tɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.