After 15 years in a vegetative state, nerve stimulation restores consciousness

After 15 years in a vegetative state, nerve stimulation restores consciousness
[18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose FDG-PET images acquired during baseline (on the left, pre-VNS) and 3 months post vagus nerve stimulation (on the right, post-VNS). After vagus nerve stimulation, the metabolism increased in the right parieto-occipital cortex, thalamus and striatum. Credit: Corazzol et al.

A 35-year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years after a car accident has shown signs of consciousness after neurosurgeons implanted a vagus nerve stimulator into his chest. The findings reported in Current Biology on September 25 show that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)—a treatment already in use for epilepsy and depression—can help to restore consciousness even after many years in a vegetative state.

The outcome challenges the general belief that disorders of consciousness that persist for longer than 12 months are irreversible, the researchers say.

By stimulating the vagus nerve, we show that "it is possible to improve a patient's presence in the world," says Angela Sirigu of Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod in Lyon, France.

The vagus nerve connects the brain to many other parts of the body, including the gut. It's known to be important in waking, alertness, and many other essential functions. To test the ability of VNS to restore consciousness, the researchers, led by Sirigu and clinicians led by Jacques Luauté, wanted to select a difficult case to ensure that any improvements couldn't be explained by chance. They looked to a patient who had been lying in a vegetative state for more than a decade with no sign of improvement.

After one month of vagal , the patient's attention, movements and brain activity significantly improved, they report. The man began responding to simple orders that had been impossible before. For example, he could follow an object with his eyes and turn his head upon request. His mother reported an improved ability to stay awake when listening to his therapist reading a book.

After 15 years in a vegetative state, nerve stimulation restores consciousness
This figure shows information sharing across all electrodes before and after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). On the right, the warmer colors (yellow/orange) indicate an increase of connectivity among posterior parietal regions. Credit: Corazzol et al.

After stimulation, the researchers also observed responses to "threat" that had been absent. For instance, when the examiner's head suddenly approached the patient's face, he reacted with surprise by opening his eyes wide. After many years in a , he had entered a state of minimal consciousness.

Recordings of also revealed major changes. A theta EEG signal important for distinguishing between a vegetative and minimally conscious state increased significantly in areas of the brain involved in movement, sensation, and awareness. VNS also increased the brain's functional connectivity. A PET scan showed increases in metabolic activity in both cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, too.

The findings show that the right intervention can yield changes in even in the most severe clinical cases, the researchers say.

"Brain plasticity and repair are still possible even when hope seems to have vanished," Sirigu says.

The researchers are now planning a large collaborative study to confirm and extend the therapeutic potential of VNS for patients in a vegetative or . In addition to helping patients, Sirigu says the findings will also advance understanding of "this fascinating capacity of our mind to produce conscious experience."

More information: Current Biology, Corazzol and Lio et al.: "Restoring consciousness with vagus nerve stimulation" www.cell.com/current-biology/f … 0960-9822(17)30964-8 , DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.060

Journal information: Current Biology
Provided by Cell Press
Citation: After 15 years in a vegetative state, nerve stimulation restores consciousness (2017, September 25) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-09-years-vegetative-state-nerve-consciousness.html
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