Posted on 02/04/2010 5:25:31 AM PST by wagglebee
In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, four of 23 patients diagnosed as being in a vegetative state showed signs of consciousness on brain-imaging tests.
Even more significantly, one patient was able to answer yes and no questions using the researchers' technique—indicating the potential for communication with people previously considered unresponsive.
Researchers at two centers, in England and Belgium, used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests on 54 patients with severe brain injury. Of these patients, 31 were diagnosed as being in a minimally conscious state, meaning they showed intermittent signs of awareness such as laughing or crying. The other 23 were diagnosed as being in a vegetative state, meaning they were considered unresponsive and unaware of their surroundings.
The study is part of a growing body of work changing how people think about the vegetative state. "There has been a kind of nihilism towards these patients. This represents a cultural shift," says Joseph J. Fins, chief of the medical-ethics division at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. (Dr. Fins wasn't involved in the current study but is working with the researchers on a separate project looking at standardizing how brain injuries are assessed.)
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
TERRI SCHIAVO WAS MURDERED. She died on March 31, 2005. Fat cat republicans killed her.
Terri knew they were killing her.
The researcher who did these studies was in footage on Fox News w/Shep Smith tonight. He had a German or an Austrian type accent.
Remember that Judge Greer refused to order testing for Terri Schiavo. He put her on track for death and never conducted himself as a judge is supposed to. In a guardianship case, the judge is also guardian. It’s real hot where he’s going someday.
Human Being who can't communicate except with brain waves "Yes."
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