MRC Press Release

Overview of the Research

• A landmark study conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and University of Liège.

• Published on 3 February 2010.

• Focuses on a patient presumed in a vegetative state who can communicate through thought.

Patient Background

• 29-year-old man who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a road traffic accident in 2003.

• Remained unresponsive and presumed in a vegetative state for five years.

Research Methodology

• Utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map brain activity.

• Patient was asked yes/no questions (e.g., "Is your father’s name Thomas?") to gauge responses.

• Brain activity patterns were observed and could be voluntarily altered by the patient, indicating communication through thought.

• 23 patients diagnosed as vegetative were scanned; fMRI detected awareness in 4 cases (17%).

• The fMRI method is 100% accurate in healthy subjects but had not been applied to non-responsive patients.

Key Findings

• Astonishing results demonstrated that the patient was not in a vegetative state.

• For the first time in five years, the patient could communicate thoughts externally.

• Statements from researchers:

  • Dr. Adrian Owen, MRC: Highlighted the breakthrough in communication through brain activity.

  • Dr. Steven Laureys, University of Liège: Anticipated future development of techniques for patients to express thoughts and improve their quality of life.

  • Dr. Martin Monti, MRC: Suggested potential clinical applications for assessing pain in non-responsive patients.

Collaborative Efforts

• Involvement of MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, and the University of Liège team.

• This study is significant in proving fMRI's applicability in communicating with vegetative patients.

Publication Details

• Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

• Partly funded by the Medical Research Council.

Contacts for Further Information

• MRC Press Office: 020 7637 6011, press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk

• University Hospital of Liège Press Office: +32 4 366 52 17-18, press@ulg.ac.be