Response to Comments on "Detecting Awareness in the Vegetative State"
Adrian M. Owen, Martin R. Coleman, Melanie Boly, Matthew H. Davis, Steven Laureys, Dietsje Jolles, John D. Pickard
Science March 2, 2007 DOI: 10.1126/science.1135583 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractFunctional neuroimaging data indicate that brain activity patterns in a patient diagnosed as vegetative could not have occurred automatically without conscious awareness. The most straightforward explanation is that the patient was consciously aware despite the vegetative state diagnosis.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Patient clinically diagnosed as vegetative |
| Keywords | Neuroimaging Minimally conscious state Neuroscience Cognitive psychology Consciousness |
| Citations | 72 |
| Key finding | The patient was likely consciously aware despite a diagnosis of vegetative state. |
Abstract
Additional data, supported by relevant functional neuroimaging literature, confirm that the “normal” patterns of brain activity reported in a patient who was clinically diagnosed as vegetative could not have occurred “automatically” in the absence of conscious awareness. The most parsimonious explanation remains that this patient was consciously aware despite her diagnosis of vegetative state.