Friday, April 13, 2012
Andrew D.
Current Event #3
Topic: Education
Awake or Knocked Out? The Line Gets Blurrier
James Gorman
New York Times
April 12, 2012
Article length: Approximately 1 page
Scientists have yet to fully understand consciousness. The process of consciousness isn't simple as an on and off process. To better understand consciousness parts of the brain is monitored as patients undergo anesthesia.
It was found by Harry Scheinin and Jaakko W. Langsjo of the University of Turku that as one regains consciousness it is broken into gradations. First, portions of the brain focused on more primitive functions activate followed by full activation of complex functions. Patients that were considered unconscious had some ability to communicate. With this knowledge, doctors were able to communicate to vegetable state patients through simple communications. Crucial decisions involving the patients condition could be resolved as the patient would be able to decide their fate.
With this acquired knowledge that the unconscious are still technically conscious, It does not really effect much in terms of anesthetics as the patient does not remember anything from surgeries or other procedures. It is interesting to learn that our consciousness is more complex than previously thought.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/science/studying-states-of-consciousness.html?ref=science
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Name:Derek
ReplyDeleteComment#: 3
The discovery that a person could still response to simple command when higher parts of the brain were not yet turned on is not only useful for deciding how to measure effects of anesthetic. I believe it could also apply to investigation on an unconscious criminal or victim. Arguments about whether to use euthanasia on patients in vegetative state or not can be solved because patients will be able to decide on their own.
Joshua
ReplyDeleteComment #3
This discovery that consciousness goes beyond what we consider to be "conscious" is really an inspiring discovery. Science and medicine will likely change drastically as we discover more about human consciousness. These discoveries will change what we consider "life" because, as it was stated in the summary, they have found ways to communicate with patients who are considered 'vegetables'. This article summary also serves to show that science has much yet to learn about human consciousness as well as the brain in general.