Glasgow Coma Scale
Neurology
Also known as: Glasgow-Koma-Skala (GCS) · Glasgow Koma Skalası · Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
What it is for
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS; Teasdale and Jennett 1974): level of consciousness from three responses, each scored by the best response.
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Eye opening (E), 1-4 | 4 spontaneous; 3 to sound (speech); 2 to pressure (pain); 1 none. |
| Verbal response (V), 1-5 | 5 oriented; 4 confused; 3 words (inappropriate words); 2 sounds (incomprehensible sounds); 1 none. |
| Motor response (M), 1-6 | 6 obeys commands; 5 localising; 4 normal flexion (withdrawal); 3 abnormal flexion; 2 extension; 1 none. |
| The total (E + V + M) ranges from 3 to 15; a response that cannot be tested (e.g. verbal response when intubated) is recorded as 'NT' (not testable) and the components are reported separately (e.g. E2 V1 M4). The authors of the scale describe individual patients by the three components and use the total mainly to characterise groups. | |
| Common convention for traumatic brain injury severity | 13-15 mild, 9-12 moderate, 3-8 severe (some sources place 13 in the moderate band). A 2024 framework convened by the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (CBI-M: clinical, biomarkers, imaging, modifiers) adds further domains to these GCS-based labels. |
Source
The Glasgow Coma Scale at 40 years: standing the test of time
Lancet Neurol 2014;13:844–854 (Teasdale G et al.)
DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70120-6
PMID: 25030516
- Edition
- Teasdale & Jennett 1974 (total 3-15 since 1977); structured assessment approach, Teasdale et al. 2014
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
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