1. Some Patients Who Appear Unconscious Know What's Going On.
- Author
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McGinty, Jo Craven
- Subjects
- *
MEDICAL ethics , *ACADEMIC medical centers , *BRAIN injuries , *CONSCIOUSNESS disorders , *CHILDREN'S hospitals - Abstract
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that one in four patients with severe brain injuries who appear unresponsive can perform cognitive tasks on command. Brain scans showed that these patients were conscious but lacked motor control. The findings have implications for decisions about life support and how caregivers interact with patients who may be aware of their surroundings. The study was funded by a $10 million grant and involved 353 adults with brain injuries. However, the study had limitations, and the rate of "covert cognition" may differ in the general population. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024