Individuals In Vegetative States Can Learn, Scientists Find

Science Daily ^ | 09/21/09 | Unknown

[TennesseeGirl]

ScienceDaily (Sep. 21, 2009) — Scientists have found that some individuals in the vegetative and minimally conscious states, despite lacking the means of reporting awareness themselves, can learn and thereby demonstrate at least a partial consciousness. Their findings are reported in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience.

...This learning requires conscious awareness of the relation between stimuli -- the tone precedes and predicts the puff of air to the eye. This type of learning was not seen in the control subjects, volunteers who had been under anaesthesia.

[TennesseeGirl]

"The researchers believe that the fact that these patients can learn associations shows that they can form memories and that they may benefit from rehabilitation."

[RockinRight]

Explains how liberals get doctorate degrees...

[autumnraine]

Tell that to the judge who ordered the murder of Terri Schiavo.

[VRWCmember]

This would indicate there is some hope for democrats after all.

[444Flyer]

This brings this true story to mind. The mind is truly a miraculous creation.

(snip)..."After working extensively with the catatonic patients who survived the 1917-1928 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica, Sayer and Eleanor discover certain things will reach beyond the patients' respective catatonic states; actions such as catching a ball thrown at them, hearing specific genres of music, and experiencing human touch all have unique effects on particular patients and offer a glimpse into their worlds. Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro) proves elusive in this regard, prompting Sayer to visit Leonard's mother (Ruth Nelson) at home to better understand his patient. A daily visitor and carer for Leonard, she tells Sayer that Leonard had been an avid reader during much of his pre-catatonic early confinement with the encephalitis. Sayer soon discovers that by using a Ouija board with Leonard's hands on the planchette and Sayer's hands on top, Leonard is able to communicate. He spells out "RILKE PANTHER", and on a hunch Sayer heads to the local library and discovers a book of Rainer Maria Rilke poems, one of which is entitled "The Panther." Sayer is more determined than ever to find a breakthrough to help his patients return to reality..." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakenings

[OneWingedShark]

Very interesting.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

This is good news for Wolf Blitzer. Can anyone forward this story to him?

[whtabtbill]

Terri Schiavo was unavailable for comment.

[TennesseeGirl]

That was a wonderful movie. I remember it.

[dog breath]

I was going to make a joke but then I started thinking about how huge this really is. This is like someone just threw a lifeline to those in vegetative states. I can’t seem to forget Terry Schiavo.

[444Flyer]

I have never forgotten that story. Teaches you never to give up. It also teaches the basic values,gifts and relevance of human life. No matter how insignificant it appears to others. Made in the image of God stuff...

(*sigh*It also reminds me of Terry Schiavo.)

[444Flyer]

See 11. We are thinking the same way.

[wny]

explains Joe Biden

[TC Rider]

I was going to say that shouldn’t pot heads be smarter, but I think you’ve covered it.

[Category Four]

Does “vegetative” differ much from “decerebrate?” (And yes, I am thinking of a movie quote which may just have been refuted.)

[wildandcrazyrussian]

And Terri Schindler Schiavo wasn’t even in a vegetative state,m she was just “stipulated” to be by her incompetent lawyer so as to exepedite the award of the $1,000,000 insurance payout to her “loving” husband who promised to take her the rest of his life.

[Category Four]

Michael promised to take her the rest of his life.

There -- sadder, but truer.

[SunkenCiv]

Two words — Joe Biden.

[tophat9000]

Dam I was going to say the exact same thing

[murphE]

ping