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In a new research paper published in the Lancet Neurology western researchers have found a way to reveal the thoughts, actions, and intentions of people with brain injuries.
“We are now able to detect conscious awareness and even communicate with some patients who appear to be comatose in the ICU following a serious brain injury,” says Western University Neuroscientist Adrian Owen.
These discoveries shed light on the longstanding topic of our understanding of consciousness and the neural representation of our thoughts and intentions.
“But we now know that we can accurately predict recovery from a serious brain injury if we use the right technique at the right time,” says Research Associate Karnig Kazazian.
Kazazian says the changes will allow hospitals to allocate resources more efficiently.
Owen also shared how families of those who suffered brain damage have responded to the discoveries made by his team.
“In almost every case, they express a strong preference for being informed about the outcomes of our neuroimaging assessments. They want to know that doctors, clinicians, and scientists have tried everything, that everyone has gone the extra mile.”
