It’s well established that some unconscious, minimally conscious and even comatose patients have more going on in their minds than meets the eye. A new study has confirmed that functional MRI, combined with electroencephalography (EEG), can reveal such “covert consciousness” at work in ICU patients hit by severe traumatic brain injury.
The study was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the journal Brain.
“Early detection of consciousness and brain function in the intensive care unit could allow families to make more informed decisions about the care of loved ones,” says lead author Brian Edlow, MD, in coverage of the study by the website Psych Central.
The study is small but significant, not least for its basis in an intensive-care setting.
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Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.