Coma researchers used fMRI to reexamine 54 patients previously diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state, or brain-dead. Patients were repeatedly asked to imagine swinging a tennis racquet or walking down a familiar street. Five of the patients showed clearly different brain activity to the two tasks despite being unable to communicate with doctors in any other way. These results suggest that not all patients who are non-responsive are brain dead, but instead some may have
A)Broca's aphasia.
B)spatial neglect.
C)locked-in syndrome.
D)neurogenic agnosia.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is locked-in syndrome because it describes a condition where a person is conscious and aware but cannot move or communicate verbally due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body except for the eyes. The fMRI results showing different brain activities in response to the tasks suggest that these patients were conscious and aware of their surroundings, fitting the description of locked-in syndrome.

Coma Researchers Used FMRI to Reexamine 54 Patients Previously Diagnosed