Recent Signs of Brain Activity in Unresponsive Patients--What Does This Mean for the Future of Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment?
Recent Signs of Brain Activity in Unresponsive Patients – What Does This Mean for the Future of Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment?
A recent study found traces of brain activity in comatose patients– paving the way for new treatments and offering new hope for these patients and their families.
By third year Aarya Merchant
For years, brain-dead patients have been understood to be exactly that—brain dead. But what if that wasn’t actually the case– what if they aren’t as brain dead as we once thought? A new study published in the New England Journal this week examined 241 patients who were determined to be in a comatose state. When these patients were given verbal commands such as imagining themselves swimming or opening and closing their hands, 60 patients were able to mentally perform these tasks. This is a groundbreaking discovery, especially since even patients who had physically recovered to the extent of responding to verbal cues were unable to perform these mental tasks. Cross-referencing with older, smaller studies revealed that signs of brain activity in comatose patients are more common than previously believed This new study was cross-referenced with older, smaller studies, which determined that signs of brain activity in comatose patients are more common than once thought, as they are present in about 10-20% of this demographic
MRI scan of a healthy patient versus a patient in a vegetative state. Although these patients have not reached full brain capacity, researchers suggest that the MRIs of these patients show some of the activity depicted in the MRI scan of a healthy patient.
While this is groundbreaking, researchers advise against being overly optimistic. They caution that the worst outcome for the medical community would be assuming that these patients will make a full recovery and return to normalcy. “Many, if not most, of these patients will still have a severe disability,” says Dr. David Greer, head of the neurology department at Boston University School of Medicine.
So, if there’s no guarantee of full recovery, what’s the point of this study? For starters, it offers hope for new treatment options in the future. Drug therapy has been the main focus for many specialists, but it’s not very effective. The two drugs currently available mainly increase arousal and attention, which is a pretty general effect and doesn’t directly help bring patients back to consciousness. Before we understood what was really happening in these patients’ brains, drug therapy seemed like the only viable option. Now, with the discovery of brain activity in comatose patients, there’s renewed discussion about more effective treatments, such as brain implants and neuromodulation. Neuromodulation involves applying electrical currents to the brain, with the hope that this will stimulate certain areas and improve motor and cognitive functions.
Although these techniques are invasive and don’t guarantee a full recovery, families of these patients shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss them. There are incredible risks with brain implants and neuromodulation, but if it increases the chance of the patient improving, why not consider it? In an era of rapid medical advancements, every new treatment option provides hope, especially for critically ill patients.
Reflecting on a personal experience, I had a family friend who was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. By the time it was detected, the cancer had aggressively spread beyond the breasts to other parts of the body, including the bones, brain, and lungs. While she received chemotherapy and drug therapy, these treatments proved largely ineffective due to the cancer's malignancy. I believe that with more effective treatment options, they could’ve saved her. Her story, along with many others of those who have lost the battle against these terrible conditions, provides motivation for families to consider all their options, even if there is only a slight possibility of recovery.
This recent study suggesting brain activity in vegetative patients opens up new possibilities for their treatment. Although these treatments don't guarantee a full recovery, they provide a glimmer of hope that families shouldn’t ignore. Despite the risks involved, families should monitor the study’s progress and consider these treatments as potential options.