Brain death and the persistent vegetative state: similarities and contrasts.

Death, Brain Death, and Persistent Vegetative State The Concept of Brain Death and its Appeal

Death, Brain Death, and Persistent Vegetative State

Minimally Conscious State: Evolution of Concept, Diagnosis and Treatment.

The study of consciousness disorders is a scientific challenge, and clinical differentiation among the various sorts of alterations in consciousness is difficult. Persistent vegetative state was defined in 1972, but years later cases appeared in which diagnosed patients showed signs of cognitive activity, and therefore could not be considered vegetative. Minimally conscious state was defined in...

Willful Modulation of Brain Activity in Disorders of Consciousness

To the Editor: The report by Monti et al. (Feb. 18 issue)1 has raised concern worldwide among relatives of patients in a persistent vegetative state. Could their loved ones be conscious after all? However, in addressing such concerns, perhaps the mechanism of brain injury should be considered. It is worthwhile noting that all five patients who were in a vegetative or minimally conscious state a...

WHAT IS NOT BRAIN DEATH: THE VEGETATIVE STATE and MOVEMENTS IN BRAIN DEATH*

The main objective of this meeting convened at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences is to discuss the topic of Brain Death. Although in general there is no debate within the scientific community, the concept of Brain Death has been questioned by lay people and in some cases by physicians. For this reason it seemed appropriate to begin this two-day conference discussing ‘What is not Brain Death’, ...