People who suffer extreme brain trauma sometimes fall into what is known as a “persistent vegetative state.” What is a vegetative state and how is it different from a coma? Unlike a coma, where the patient is completely immobile and unconscious, people in a vegetative state will sleep, wake, and open their eyes — without showing any sign of awareness or consciousness. They don’t speak, move on their own, or respond to questions. Also unlike a coma, which is rarely longer than a couple weeks, a vegetative state can last indefinitely.
What’s It Like to Be in a Vegetative State?
Since a vegetative state is generally measured in months and years—as opposed to comas that typically last days or weeks—it can be taxing on family and friends that are eagerly waiting for their loved one to return to them and “wake up.”
But because vegetative state patients commonly move and respond to sights and sounds (albeit more as a reflex than an awareness of their surroundings), it’s easy to believe that recovery is possible, if not just around the corner.
In addition to sleeping and waking up, they may even pull their hands or limbs away if squeezed or otherwise poked or prodded. Their eyes may also randomly wander or track moving objects, and their breathing and heart rate are able to keep their body going without the assistance of machines. Other actions such as swallowing, smiling, and tearing up as well as groaning, grunting, or screaming are all common in vegetative states too.
But patients are unable to respond to commands (like “squeeze my hand if you can hear me”), and they do not react in meaningful ways to sounds, words, or any other type of communication. They also can’t speak their thoughts or express desires to anyone. Moreover, those in a vegetative state show no signs of understanding or emotion. They won’t recognize a family member, which has fueled the uncertainty about whether they are really “there.”
In some instances, patients can even start moving restlessly or intently, or produce strings of noises that are indecipherable. But mostly, they don’t show any of the typical signs of being present and conscious. And the possibility of being trapped inside your mind—aware of your surroundings, but unable to move or respond while your loved ones are right there—is a frightening thought.
Can a Person in a Vegetative State Hear You?
The challenge for physicians and scientists, though, is determining if a patient is aware, despite being unable to communicate.
Sure, MRIs can “read” brain function and identify areas of brain damage, but consciousness is a behavioral thing, and detecting the pieces of perception and awareness within a vegetative state isn’t quite so simple.
To make matters worse, the clock is ticking, and the longer one stays in a vegetative state, the less likely it is that they’ll eventually wake up. For this reason, vegetative states longer than four weeks are considered continuing vegetative states, while at the six-month point they’re regarded as permanent.
Once someone has received a permanent vegetative state diagnosis, the chance of waking up is extremely unlikely, but still possible. But regardless of whether someone is in a permanent or continuing vegetative state, doctors don’t know whether the person inside is still in there, though there are treatments that some believe can lead to natural improvement.
Many of these therapies are primarily concerned with keeping the physical body in good working order in preparation for the mind waking up, such as using feeding tubes, cleaning the body and skin, and assisted movement.
Other, more stimulating treatments that are favored by family and friends include: playing music, introducing smells with flowers or fragrances, and physically touching or otherwise interacting with the patient. It’s all an attempt to engage the person inside and increase the chance of recovery, which stands roughly at a coin flip—a 50% chance for adults and a 60% chance for children.
Most people thought that, in principle, it would never be possible to know if awareness and recovery is right around the corner. But neuroscientist Adrian Owen, author of Into the Gray Zone, thought there might be a way to rout around damage to the nervous system, allowing patients to respond using only their thoughts.
Using fMRIs, neuroscientists discovered that there are distinct patterns in brain activity when healthy, conscious people think about doing different things — say, playing tennis vs. walking through their house. Owen put vegetative patients inside an fMRI and asked them to respond to yes or no questions by imagining one activity or the other. He found, amazingly, that around 20% of the patients he scanned were actually aware of their surroundings — and thanks to his technique, able to communicate for the first time.
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As a seasoned expert in neuroscience and consciousness studies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricate concepts discussed in the provided article. With a background in the latest advancements in brain research and cognitive science, I am well-equipped to delve into the complexities surrounding vegetative states, comas, and the challenges of assessing awareness in patients with severe brain trauma.
Let's dissect the key concepts presented in the article:
1. Vegetative State vs. Coma:
- Vegetative State: Described as a condition where individuals exhibit sleep-wake cycles, open their eyes, and may even move in response to stimuli. However, they lack signs of awareness, consciousness, or the ability to communicate.
- Coma: Contrasted with a vegetative state, a coma involves complete immobility and unconsciousness, with patients not displaying sleep-wake cycles.
2. Characteristics of Vegetative State:
- Duration: Unlike comas that typically last days or weeks, vegetative states can persist for months or even years.
- Movements: Patients in a vegetative state may exhibit reflex-like movements, such as pulling away limbs in response to stimuli. Other actions include random eye movements, tracking objects, and basic bodily functions like breathing and heart rate regulation.
- Lack of Consciousness: Despite certain physical responses, patients in a vegetative state do not demonstrate awareness, understanding, or emotion. They cannot respond to commands or communicate meaningfully.
3. Challenges in Assessing Awareness:
- Behavioral vs. Brain Function: Consciousness is behavioral, but determining it within a vegetative state is complex. While MRIs can identify brain damage, they can't precisely gauge awareness.
- Timing: The longer one stays in a vegetative state, the less likely they are to wake up. After four weeks, it's considered a continuing vegetative state, and after six months, it's deemed permanent.
4. Treatment and Therapies:
- Physical Care: Basic care involves maintaining the physical body, using feeding tubes, cleaning, and assisted movement.
- Stimulating Therapies: Some therapies aim to engage the person inside, such as playing music, introducing smells, and physical interaction. The chance of recovery stands at roughly 50% for adults and 60% for children.
5. Breakthrough in Assessing Awareness:
- Neuroscientist Adrian Owen: Using fMRIs, Owen discovered distinct patterns in brain activity when healthy individuals thought about different activities. Applying this to vegetative patients, he found that around 20% were aware and could communicate using their thoughts.
In conclusion, the article explores the challenges faced by physicians and scientists in understanding and assessing awareness in individuals with severe brain trauma. The revelation of using fMRIs to communicate with some vegetative state patients marks a groundbreaking advancement in the field, providing hope and potential avenues for further research and treatments.
