Scientist talks to vegetative patients—and MRIs light up
A brain researcher based in Toronto claims he can speak to patients who are in a vegetative state—and the evidence is in MRI.
Adrian Owen studies patients who otherwise appear to be without complex motor functions. He tells them to imagine playing tennis—reacting to the ball’s approach, preparing for a return shot and completing the stroke.
He found some patients were able to respond with yes or no answers.
“On that day, and on many occasions in the months that followed, we conversed with Scott through this magical connection we had made between his mind and our machine,” Owen told the Mail, speaking of the first patient he was able to converse with.
Read the full story here:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.