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Scientists at Yale University have developed a device that can restore circulation and cellular activity in a pigÂ’s brain four hours after death, raising ethical questions about the possibilities of one day applying it to humans. BrainEx is an open-source device originally based on CaVESWave, a system developed by Biomed Innovations of North Carolina to preserve donated organs for research or transplantation. The scientists perfused the pigÂ’s brain with a specially designed chemical solution to restore circulation and cellular activity, challenging long-held assumptions about the timing and irreversible nature of the cessation of some brain functions after death. Their study...

Yale scientists say experiment opens new frontier in brain research 35 minutes ago Re-vitalised brains of dead pigs said to be ‘cellularly active’. Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Re-vitalised brains of dead pigs said to be ‘cellularly active’. Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty An experiment has breathed life into the brains of pigs four hours after death. Scientists in the US restored circulation and cellular activity in 32 pig brains obtained from a meat-packing plant. While there was no evidence of re-awakening awareness or consciousness, the re-vitalised brains were said to be “cellularly active”. The study has implications that challenge long-held assumptions about the...