Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was developed in 1974 by neurosurgeons Graham Teasdale and Bryan Jennett at the University of Glasgow as a practical method for assessing the level of consciousness and neurological functioning in patients with traumatic brain injury. The scale was introduced in their seminal article, "Assessment of Coma and Impaired Consciousness," published in "The Lancet." The GCS was originally designed to provide a clear and objective way for healthcare providers to communicate about the level of consciousness of patients with acute brain damage.

The GCS quantifies consciousness levels in terms of eye, verbal, and motor responses to stimuli and is scored between 3 (deep unconsciousness) and 15 (fully alert). The simplicity of the scale has allowed it to be used by healthcare providers of all levels of training, making it an invaluable tool in emergency, pre-hospital, and in-hospital settings.