Brain activity has been detected in patients in a vegetative state due to a traumatic brain injury, according to a recent study conducted by a group of neuroscientists.
The study examined patients who have been diagnosed in a vegetative state where they are alive, but are void of any sense of awareness. Around 20,000 Americans are considered to be in a vegetative state. However, between 100,000 and 300,000 are afflicted with a less severe, but still debilitating state called minimally conscious state causing the patients to have intermittent or impaired awareness.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared brain-injured patients' brain activity to a normally functioning brains when placed in a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Patients were given careful instructions to imaging playing tennis or exploring their home. Although most patients did not display any brain activity, a significant number of patients mirrored the brains of healthy individuals.
The research found that some patients - one man in particular - could answer detailed questions about his life prior to his brain injury by alternating his thoughts - thinking of tennis when responding "yes" or thinking of exploring his home when answering a "no" question. Although the patients could not communicate in any fashion with his or her body physically, they were able to correctly answer yes-or-no questions.
Adrian Owen, a lead neuroscience researcher from the University of Cambridge, found the study to be incredible because of the possible implications associated with the research. The results could greatly impact future diagnosis and brain injury treatments. Owen maintains that additional research is needed, but is excited at the prospect that technology could help some patients communicate, even if only to notify caregivers of pain or discomfort.
Researchers were quick to point out that the positive MRI signals only appeared in patients suffering from brain injuries, rather than patients who were in a vegetative state due to oxygen deprivation, as was the case with Terry Schiavo. Schiavo became headline news in 2005 when a family dispute to remove her feeding tube turn required congressional intervention.
Family members worldwide have bombarded researchers with requests to study vegetative loved ones, however Own cautioned that the studies are only conclusive if they patient is conscious during the test. Without definite proof to determine if the patient is awake or able to hear the questions, additional research is needed to provide more a more accurate diagnosis for patients suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
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