What do people see in a vegetative state?

Summary: Patients in a vegetative state do not respond to what is happening around them and exhibit no signs of conscious awareness. Now research has shown that the brains of patients in a vegetative state emotionally react to photographs of people they know personally as though they recognize them.


Can a person in a vegetative state see you?

People in a vegetative state can open their eyes, but they cannot speak or do things that require thought or conscious intention, and they have no awareness of themselves or their environment.

What does someone in a vegetative state look like?

A person in a vegetative state may open their eyes, wake up and fall asleep at regular intervals and have basic reflexes, such as blinking when they're startled by a loud noise, or withdrawing their hand when it's squeezed hard. They're also able to regulate their heartbeat and breathing without assistance.


Are you self aware in a vegetative state?

Vegetative state

A state in which a person may have some reflexes, including yawning and eye movements, but shows no awareness of themselves or their environment.

Do people in a vegetative state have memories?

Vegetative vs.

The term was coined in 2002. Since then, there's been lots of scientific research into the condition, said Fins, and agreement within the medical community that this is a real condition. However, patients who've come back from severe brain injuries don't remember anything about it, said Fins.


1 in 5 vegetative patients is conscious. This neuroscientist finds them. | Big Think x Freethink



Do patients feel pain in a vegetative state?

A person diagnosed as being in a vegetative state has an operation without anaesthetic because they cannot feel pain.

Can vegetative state patients cry?

Even though those in a persistent vegetative state lose their higher brain functions, other key functions such as breathing and circulation remain relatively intact. Spontaneous movements may occur, and the eyes may open in response to external stimuli. Individuals may even occasionally grimace, cry, or laugh.

How long do vegetative states last?

Recovery from a vegetative state is unlikely after 1 month if brain damage is nontraumatic and after 12 months if brain damage is traumatic. Even if some recovery occurs after these intervals, most patients are severely disabled.


Why keep someone alive in vegetative state?

In some cases, it may be that the family believe that the patient would have wanted ongoing treatment regardless of their level of consciousness or prognosis. Alternatively, some family members may be hoping for a “miracle” recovery or are simply not yet ready to let go of a loved one.

Can you dream in a vegetative state?

Patients in a minimally conscious state remain capable of dreaming during their sleep. Summary: Researchers compared the sleep of "vegetative" patients and minimally conscious state patients. The results of their study demonstrate once again the necessity of an adapted and specific medical care for each of these states ...

Can a person in a vegetative state recover?

Thus some patients can regain awareness after more than four months in a vegetative state, and, although few reach full independence, most can achieve an improved quality of life within the limitations of their disabilities. The recovery period is prolonged and may continue for several years.


What is the longest someone has been in a vegetative state?

Elaine died later that year at the age of 43 years and 357 days, having been in a coma for 37 years and 111 days. Esposito's story was brought back into attention in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the controversy surrounding the case of Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state.

Can you wake up from a vegetative state?

Some people recover from a vegetative state, but it is usually not a complete recovery. The brain damage will likely result in permanent disabilities. Recovery is most likely if the cause of the vegetative state is an injury or a reversible condition such as low blood sugar or a drug overdose.

Can you think in a vegetative state?

In this way, Owen and colleagues have convincingly demonstrated that a subset of individuals in persistent vegetative states have meaningfully functioning minds — even as they remain completely unable to engage in other forms of volitional communication or behavior.


Has anyone ever recovered from a persistent vegetative state?

All neuroscientists, including Owen, agree that many—probably most—of the patients diagnosed as “vegetative” truly are so, with no hope of recovery. Certainly, the vast majority will never recover like Torres: there's no doubt that this young man is an extraordinary case.

Is vegetative state considered death?

The difference between brain death and a vegetative state (a disorder of consciousness), which can happen after extensive brain damage, is that it's possible to recover from a vegetative state, but brain death is permanent.