EEG can detect vegetative consciousness

The study by Dr. DamianCruse University of Western Ontario, and colleagues, included 16 cases according to the behavior index in the diagnosis of vegetative state and 12 cases of healthy persons. These vegetables are in age, gender, injury causes and injury by difference. In 16 patients, 5 cases of traumatic brain injury, 2 cases of stroke, the occurrence of hypoxia.

The researchers repeatedly asked all participants to hold the right hand or wiggling toes imagine action in the beep tone. Then the EEG was tested by the reaction of command. The results of EEG showed that a group of 3 patients can be repeatedly and reliably for 2 different commands to respond. This reaction in 3 cases of patients were male, aged 29~45 years; 2 cases were diagnosed as traumatic brain injury, 1 cases of hypoxic brain injury. A control group of 9 people have been identified as EEG reaction of non accidental, but 3 people did not respond, the researchers do not know exactly why. However, the researchers pointed out that this also shows that EEG was not detected in response would not necessarily mean lack of awareness. Although patients with traumatic brain injury in aged patients with traumatic brain injury (less than 29 vs.44 years old), but no significant relationship between patient age or clinical history and respond.

The researchers said the study design and prognosis were observed based on the reaction pattern detected basically impossible for autonomy or automatic. Compared with the same to detection of vegetables slight consciousness function magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), EEG has the advantages of convenient application, low cost and is not affected by metal implants such as.

In an accompanying editorial, RikkeOvergaard Aalborg University of Denmark MortenOvergaard, and the University of Aarhus pointed out that the study results clearly show that at least some vegetative did not complete loss of consciousness. The 12 healthy controls in 3 patients (25%) without obvious EEG effect, so the command approach for detection of consciousness has no pertinence is not strong.

The study by the Medical Research Council and other institutions funded. Researchers and editorial authors declared no conflict of economic interests.