In what could be a major breakthrough, scientists from the United States have been able to wake a man from a near vegetative state, and he can now talk to his family, watch TV and chew.
The 38-year-old from Ohio had been in a coma like state for 6 years, after being mugged and bashed, but when neuroscientists from New York and News Jersey used a pacemaker and two electrodes to send impulses into a part of the brain regulating consciousness, the mans quality of life was dramatically improved.
Unable to chew or swallow, the Cleveland patient, who has been identified only as an artist with two brothers, was fed by tube and could communicate solely through slight movements of his eyes and fingers.
Although he still does not initiate conversation, the surgery has allowed him to respond to questions with answers of up to three words. Several weeks ago, he recited the first half of the U.S. oath of allegiance without help.
The patient has also regained some movement in his limbs.
Electrodes were inserted into his thalamus, the region believed to be key in consciousness, to boost its speech and movement signals.
His mother said: “My son, as well as the entire family, had little hope of further recovery. Now he can eat, express himself and let us know if he is in pain.
“He can cry and he can laugh and, most importantly, he can say, ‘Mommy’ and ‘Pop’ and he can say, ‘I love you Mommy’. I still cry every time I see my son but it is tears of joy.”
The story is detailed HERE in the journal of Nature.
See related story on Jan Grzebski who suddenly woke up from a 19 year coma earlier this year.
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August 3, 2007 at 2:49 am
What news so good!!!. I wish that this news will be the beginning of a solution for so many people who are in Coma. And a cheap solution and it can arrive to All Countries.
August 3, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I concur Emma…