Flickers of life
'A patient who is in a "minimally conscious" state shows some signs of consciousness, but it's not consistent,' explains Joseph Giacino, from JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.'Our patient clearly showed signs of consciousness. On occasion he could follow a complicated command, for example we would say "If I hold my hand up, please close your eyes." He would follow it once or twice, but not the next 20 or so times.'
This meant the scientists knew the patient had enough brain function to potentially respond to treatment.
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