State vegetative : a man goes out after 15 years

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Published the 25.09.2017 at 18h25

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Incredible. After 15 years in a vegetative state, a man of 35 years has again shown signs of consciousness. This is thanks to specialists of the Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, Lyon (Rhône). They explain their experience in Current Biology.

The victim of a car accident, the patient never regained consciousness. For more than a decade, the man remained in a deep vegetative state. It is then able to breathe alone, to perform actions automatic or even open her eyes. But no conscious activity is possible. No external stimulus does not respond despite repeated attempts.

A type of pacemaker

After 12 months in this state caused by brain injury – the medical team deem it generally the case irreversible. It is precisely for this reason that Lyon have selected this sick. They wanted to be sure that no other factor could not interfere. And experience suggests that getting out of a vegetative state for long periods is possible.

The proposed solution is the least invasive. It consists in the implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator in the chest of the subject. The device, similar to a pacemaker, sends electrical impulses at regular intervals on this nerve. A technique already used with success in epilepsy.

After a month of stimulation, the researchers have begun to observe real improvements. His electro-encephalogram has been much more active, particularly at the level of the cortex and subcortical regions.

Brain activity before (left) and after (right) stimulation of the vagus nerve (Corazzol, et al)