Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Deep Brain Stimulation Awakens Patient
Filed under: in the news...
BBC News is reporting that a 38-year-old patient hospitalized in the Cleveland Clinic in a "minimally conscious state" as a result of a severe brain injury was awakened by a stimulator that was implanted into his brain by Dr Ali Rezai, a neurosurgeon.
Here's what the article says:
The man involved in the study was badly beaten six years ago, leaving him severely brain injured and in a minimally conscious state, in which patients show intermittent signs of awareness.Over a period of six months the researchers alternated periods of electrical stimulation with fake stimulation to assess whether it was having an effect.
Within 48 hours of the first stimulation, the patient was able to keep his eyes open, turn his head, and utter words.
After several treatments he is now able to perform complex tasks such as brushing his hair, although with difficulty due to severe immobility caused by his condition.
And can chew and swallows his food where before he needed a feeding tube.
BBC article: Electrical pulses 'rouse' patient ...
No press statements from the Cleveland Clinic yet... Developing...
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