Nerve implant 'restores consciousness' to man in vegetative state

Very good news!

A 35-year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years has shown signs of consciousness after receiving a pioneering therapy involving nerve stimulation.

The treatment challenges a widely-accepted view that there is no prospect of a patient recovering consciousness if they have been in a vegetative state for longer than 12 months.

Since sustaining severe brain injuries in a car accident, the man had been completely unaware of the world around him. But when fitted with an implant to stimulate the vagus nerve, which travels into the brain stem, the man appeared to flicker back into a state of consciousness.

He started to track objects with his eyes, began to stay awake while being read a story and his eyes opened wide in surprise when the examiner suddenly moved her face close to the patient’s. He could even respond to some simple requests, such as turning his head when asked – although this took about a minute.

www.theguardian.com...

We will eventually realize that words we use to describe things have no real meaning outside our subjective experiences.

In the future, bringing someone out of a vegetative state could be as simple as curing a runny nose.

a reply to: neoholographic

That's amazing 👍🏻😊

But not sure about being woken then asked if you wanna die ? 😳
From the article
'
“I cannot answer to this question,” said Sirigu. “Personally I think it’s better to be aware, even if it’s a bad state, to be conscious of what’s happening. Then you can have a decision if you want to go on or if you want [euthanasia].”

Wow, so he's conscious now but has been trapped inside his own body for 15 years? Sadly, I imagine his first words being "please kill me".

Well, it's definitely a step. I agree, though, asking if they just want to die is disturbing.

a reply to: neoholographic

The real question here is...

Can we make zombies now?

Wow, This could have been an absolutely terrifying experience for the guy.

a reply to: Soloprotocol

That is what I was thinking.

You are now aware but trapped....depending on how damaged the brain is....depending on how damaged the body is.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: Soloprotocol

That is what I was thinking.

You are now aware but trapped....depending on how damaged the brain is....depending on how damaged the body is.

You've been on stand-by for 15 years. What was his first 'terrifying' thought when he was 're-booted'. The fact the guy followed instructions tells me he had at least some level of understanding. poor guy.

imagine for a moment if this was someone close to you.

Very interesting and I can see the good news in this... but in addition to the pain/horror/confusion this man might be experiencing right now, my heart also aches for the countless people reading this story that had to face heartbreaking decisions regarding a loved one. This news might be very complicated and painful to process in terms of decisions they had to make in the past.

What if he is in horrible horrible pain now, physically and psycologically, but doesn't have the capability of expressing that in any way! Trapped, suffering, uncommunicative....I think I would prefer comatose or death.

This is a sensitive and personal subject.
Sometimes it is best to just pull the plug.

a reply to: solve

Why wake them? You see them walking down any given street or in any given mall or even driving down the road.

I don't see people. I see Iphone, Samsung, HTC, Dell, Microsoft.

This guy was probably more self aware in his veg state than most are nowadays on their cell phones.

a reply to: skunkape23

Who gets to decide that?

a reply to: Soloprotocol

What if he was experiencing joy?

Why do we reach for the worst possible feelings that he may be experiencing?

Do we know it was terror? What about being happy?

originally posted by: SR1TX
a reply to: Soloprotocol

What if he was experiencing joy?

Why do we reach for the worst possible feelings that he may be experiencing?

Do we know it was terror? What about being happy?

Sleep paralysis is terrifying enough. I can only imagine what might have been going through his head.

a reply to: neoholographic

A 35-year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years has shown signs of consciousness after receiving a pioneering therapy involving nerve stimulation.

And after a quick look at the world demanded to be put back into vegetative state.

a reply to: neoholographic

You know I have read studies about how diabetes BOTH types could possibly be cured by fixing a nerve transmission issue in the past things that some of the best doctors theorized. I think it would work for that HORRIBLE disease also.

They need to contact the President LITERALLY and get this fast-tracked to ALL the neurosurgeons in America. Seriously, Trump said he wants to cure people in his first term. This would be a heck of a start!

This is great news, and shows you ANYTHING is possible. Let us all hope to see the light of day and see this treatment spread world wide!

originally posted by: queenofswords
What if he is in horrible horrible pain now, physically and psycologically, but doesn't have the capability of expressing that in any way! Trapped, suffering, uncommunicative....I think I would prefer comatose or death.

I have always told my wife and kids if that ever happens to me leave my plug alone. Because you will pull it and the next day they will find a cure.

I will take fear and pain over death any day that is what makes us alive. This might just be a first step and in 4 or 5 years this guy could be just like everyone else .

This is awesome and would absolutely approve this for my loved ones.

originally posted by: skunkape23
This is a sensitive and personal subject.
Sometimes it is best to just pull the plug.

Have you ever seen awakenings?

www.imdb.com...

This movie is why I say leave my plug alone..

originally posted by: neoholographic
In the future, bringing someone out of a vegetative state could be as simple as curing a runny nose.

Wait...are you saying they have a cure for the common cold, cause I am still waiting on that simple one...