As it stands in most jurisdictions, treatment (feeding tube, oxygen) can be stopped to patients in persistent vegetative states, resulting in their death. This revelation might change that. Even if the person answers, "yes" to "are you in pain" and "would you like us to pull the plug", the law will prohibit it. Furthermore, laws may be passed prohibiting the cessation of treatment in ALL patients in persistent vegetative states, despite the fact that only a small percentage respond to questions (ie. are measurably aware of their surroundings).
I dunno, color me suspicious. The guy who suddenly became communicative after a 29-year coma was a hoax (haven't heard anything about him since the news broke).
I await scientists -- not just "science" media -- before I get excited.
The full research study article is online here: Willful Modulation of Brain Activity in Disorders of Consciousness (http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0905370). Basically, a number of patients were studied; during an MRI scan, they were asked to think of two particular activities, one after the other; thinking of each activity lit up a different part of the brain. Those who responded were then told to assign "yes" and "no" to each activity and were asked a series of simple yes/no questions to make sure that they really were hearing and responding. So it seems like it could be a valid application, but only for a tiny number of patients:
Results Of the 54 patients enrolled in the study, 5 were able to willfully modulate their brain activity. In three of these patients, additional bedside testing revealed some sign of awareness, but in the other two patients, no voluntary behavior could be detected by means of clinical assessment. One patient was able to use our technique to answer yes or no to questions during functional MRI; however, it remained impossible to establish any form of communication at the bedside.
Just as cool - this (http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0008218).
Subcranial cortical electrodes using a radio signal (and which can be recharged via induction, so there's no exposure to the outside) being used to facilitate communication with people who are 'locked in'. So far they've only got a couple vowel sounds down, but they're optimistic.
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 03:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 04:38 pm (UTC)(Btw, aiui vegetative state doesn't = coma....)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 05:28 pm (UTC)As it stands in most jurisdictions, treatment (feeding tube, oxygen) can be stopped to patients in persistent vegetative states, resulting in their death. This revelation might change that. Even if the person answers, "yes" to "are you in pain" and "would you like us to pull the plug", the law will prohibit it. Furthermore, laws may be passed prohibiting the cessation of treatment in ALL patients in persistent vegetative states, despite the fact that only a small percentage respond to questions (ie. are measurably aware of their surroundings).
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 07:26 pm (UTC)I await scientists -- not just "science" media -- before I get excited.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 07:29 pm (UTC)(Possibly only in the sophistication level of the con, I admit!)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 07:33 pm (UTC)I am eagerly awaiting analysis from the various Smart Guys I read.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 09:48 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 08:40 pm (UTC)Basically, a number of patients were studied; during an MRI scan, they were asked to think of two particular activities, one after the other; thinking of each activity lit up a different part of the brain. Those who responded were then told to assign "yes" and "no" to each activity and were asked a series of simple yes/no questions to make sure that they really were hearing and responding.
So it seems like it could be a valid application, but only for a tiny number of patients:
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 09:53 pm (UTC)Subcranial cortical electrodes using a radio signal (and which can be recharged via induction, so there's no exposure to the outside) being used to facilitate communication with people who are 'locked in'. So far they've only got a couple vowel sounds down, but they're optimistic.