Families of persons with a severe brain injury who are in a vegetative state, may have hope through a new device that helps establish communication with these patients.  The device has been developed by researchers in the UK, who say that they have successfully used magnetic resonance imaging techniques to communicate with persons believed to be in a vegetative state.

Persons in a vegetative state may lack a sense of awareness of their environment and are believed to be unable to respond to commands and instructions.  However, the researchers used a device called an EEG to communicate with some of these patients.  Electrodes were placed on the patients’ heads, and they were asked to respond to certain commands, like moving parts of their bodies.  The researchers found that 3 out of 16 patients were able to respond to instructions, and one of them was able to do so more than 100 times.

The EEG is a compact and portable device that can be used at a bedside.  Doctors can take the device to hospitals and nursing homes to determine the levels of consciousness of such individuals.

Obviously, the device will only help certain types of patients – those who are in a vegetative state.  Moreover, the device is meant to be used as a diagnostic aid, and in its current form, may not do much to help treat these patients.  The device however could make a difference to the lives of those patients who may have been wrongly diagnosed as being in a vegetative state.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Houston brain injury lawyer helping persons with a traumatic brain injury recover compensation for their injuries.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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