New Study Finds Activity in Brain-Injured Patients

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. Between 100,000 and 300,000 Americans are afflicted have been diagnosed with a minimally conscious state, that, although less severe, still causes 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). Through careful instructions, patients were told to imagine 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. Future diagnoses and brain injury treatments could be greatly impacted by the results. Modern technology could allow some patients the ability to communicate, even if to signify discomfort or pain, although Own maintains that additional research is needed.

The study rehashes the case of Terry Schiavo, who was left in a vegetative state due to oxygen deprivation - however the researchers found the brain activity was only apparent in patients whose injuries were sustained from head trauma. 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. Additional research is needed to provide more accurate diagnoses for patients who were unable to respond because the researchers were unable to determine if the patient was sleeping or able to hear the questions.