Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:22:4
David Goodhue - AHN Reporter
Cambridge, United Kingdom (AHN) - British and Belgian researchers said some patients in vegetative states showed signs of consciousness on recent brain-imaging scans.
Scientists at Cambridge University and with the University of Liege tested 54 patients using MRIs and found that five were able to willfully modulate their brain activity.
In three of the five patients, the scientists detected some signs of awareness. One of these patients was even able to answer yes or no to questions using a technique developed by the scientists.
But no voluntary behavior was observed in the other two patients, the researchers said. Nevertheless, the researchers said their communication technique may be used in the future to establish basic communication with otherwise unresponsive patients.
The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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