Deep brain stimulation (DBS), using electrodes implanted in the brain of a man in a minimally conscious state, restored his ability to feed himself, talk and other basic functions reported five newspapers (2nd August 2007). The articles are based on a study of a single patient and further investigation is required.
-
Deep brain stimulation (DBS), using electrodes implanted in the brain of a man in a minimally conscious state, restored his ability to feed himself, talk and other basic functions reported five newspapers on 2nd August 2007 (1-5).
-
The newspaper articles are based on a study published in Nature (6). The study was conducted on a 38 year old man in a minimally conscious state (MCS) for over six years, whose brain had an intact language network. The central thalamus area of the brain was electrically stimulated using surgically implanted electrodes. Over a six month period the electrical stimulation was alternated between being turned on and off every thirty days. During the periods of electrical stimulation the patient showed improvement in level of arousal, the ability to complete movements such as bringing a cup to his mouth and to independently chew and swallow a piece of food placed in his mouth. The authors concluded that the study provides evidence that DBS can promote functional recovery long after a patient has entered a MCS. However, they do caution that it is unknown whether the same response would be found with other patients: specific characteristics of this patient's condition may have influenced his response.
-
The newspapers accurately outlined the experimental nature of the research. All of the papers make at least a brief reference to the fact that a similar benefit may not be achieved by all patients with MCS. Four of the newspapers report that the research team plan to carry out the operation in twelve cases as part of a trial.(1-4)
Systematic reviews
Information staff at CRD searched for systematic reviews relevant to this topic. Systematic reviews are valuable sources of evidence as they locate, appraise and synthesize all available evidence on a particular topic.
There was one related systematic reviews identified on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)(7). There were no related reviews on the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE).
References and resources
1. Brain-damaged man 'recovers with aid of electrode implant.' Daily Telegraph, 2 August 2007, p1,2.
2. Electrode brain implants bring patient out of a six-year coma. Daily Mail, 2 August 2007, p31.
3. Brain stimulation gives new life to patient. Financial Times, 2 August 2007, p5.
4. The 'medical miracle' that brought near-vegetative brain back to life The Times, 2 August 2007, p4.
5. Pioneer brain implants allow minimally conscious patient to eat, drink and talk. The Guardian, 2 August 2007, p3.
6. Schiff ND, Giacino JT, Kalmar K, Victor JD, Baker K, Gerber M, Fritz B, Eisenberg B, O'Connor J, Kobylarz1 EJ, Farris S, Machado A, McCagg C, Plum1 F, Fins JJ, Rezai AR. Behavioural improvements with thalamic stimulation after severe traumatic brain injury. Nature 2007;448:600-603.
7. Lombardi F, Taricco M, De Tanti A, Telaro E, Liberati A. Sensory stimulation for brain injured individuals in coma or vegetative state. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001427. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001427.
Consumer information
Headway: the Brain Injury Association
NHS Direct - Vegetative state
Further information about Hitting the Headlines
Further information about Hitting the Headlines, together with selected relevant links, can be found at http://www.library.nhs.uk/hth/.
