In recent years, improvements in brain
imaging technology have started to change the way we think about brain function
and how it should be measured.
Scientists had been using brain scanning to
show that a person who was thought to be in a vegetative state was, in fact,
awake and responsive. Despite fulfilling the clinical criteria for a diagnosis
of vegetative state, these patients retained the ability to understand spoken
commands and to respond to them through their brain activity, rather than
through speech or movement. This technique was also used to actually
communicate with such a patient who could answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions just
by altering his brain activity.
Furthermore, the patient’s choice and
determination to collaborate with the scientist by imagining particular tasks
when asked to do so represents a clear act of intent and connect, which
confirmed beyond any doubt that they were awake and aware of themselves and their
surroundings.
So.. what if everything is opposite to what
it appeared to be?
In recent years, improvements in brain
imaging technology have started to change the way we think about brain function
and how it should be measured.
Scientists had been using brain scanning to
show that a person who was thought to be in a vegetative state was, in fact,
awake and responsive. Despite fulfilling the clinical criteria for a diagnosis
of vegetative state, these patients retained the ability to understand spoken
commands and to respond to them through their brain activity, rather than
through speech or movement. This technique was also used to actually
communicate with such a patient who could answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions just
by altering his brain activity.
Furthermore, the patient’s choice and
determination to collaborate with the scientist by imagining particular tasks
when asked to do so represents a clear act of intent and connect, which
confirmed beyond any doubt that they were awake and aware of themselves and their
surroundings.
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