Magnetic Field "Wakes" Man Up from Coma

A promising study has shown that electromagnetic stimulation of the brain could "wake up" a person from coma:

JOSH VILLA was 26 and driving home after a drink with a friend on 28 August 2005 when his car mounted the kerb and flipped over. Villa was thrown through the windscreen, suffered massive head injuries and fell into a coma. Almost a year later, there was little sign of improvement. [...]

Usually there is little more that can be done for people in this condition. Villa was to be sent home to Rockford, Illinois, where his mother, Laurie McAndrews, had volunteered to care for him.

But Pape had a different suggestion. She enrolled him in a six-week study in which an electromagnetic coil was held over the front of his head to stimulate the underlying brain tissue. Such transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been investigated as a way of treating migraine, stroke, Parkinson's disease and depression, with some promising results, but this is the first time it has been used as a potential therapy for someone in a coma-like state.

The rapidly changing magnetic fields that the coil creates can be used either to excite or inhibit brain cells - making it easier or harder for them to communicate with one another. In Villa's case, the coil was used to excite brain cells in the right prefrontal dorsolateral cortex. This area has strong connections to the brainstem, which sends out pulses to the rest of the brain that tell it to pay attention. "It's like an 'OK, I'm awake' pulse," says Pape.

At first, there was little change in Villa's condition, but after around 15 sessions something happened. "You started talking to him and he would turn his head and look at you," says McAndrews. "That was huge."

Link


Fascinating find indeed. If it can conclusively work then we won't have to have victims of accidents lying in comas for years on end.

Odd thing about the article though. It's "kerb" supposed to be spelt as "curb"?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
sounds like a Fringe episode...kinda scary...could this be the start of mind control? haha
anyways, he may have just gotten better, but it is interesting that he declined after they stopped treatment...
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 7 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Magnetic Field "Wakes" Man Up from Coma"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More