Detecting awareness in the vegetative state
Adrian M Owen, Martin R Coleman, Melanie Boly, Matthew H Davis, Steven Laureys, John D Pickard, Adrian M Owen, Martin R Coleman, Melanie Boly, Matthew H Davis, Steven Laureys, John D Pickard
Abstract
We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate preserved conscious awareness in a patient fulfilling the criteria for a diagnosis of vegetative state. When asked to imagine playing tennis or moving around her home, the patient activated predicted cortical areas in a manner indistinguishable from that of healthy volunteers.
Source: PubMed