Multiple studies from laboratories around the world have now shown that 15-20% of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who appear unresponsive on the bedside behavioral examination are "covertly consciousness", as evidenced by volitional modulation of brain activity on task-based functional MRI or EEG. In this talk, we will discuss emerging insights into covert consciousness that are shedding new light into mechanisms of recovery from severe TBI. We will focus on recently published guidelines that recommend the clinical implementation of these advanced techniques to improve the standard of care for patients with severe TBI.