Technique May Help Revive Head-Injury Victims

October 16, 2006 | Source: Washington Post

Doctors yesterday reported the first evidence that targeted electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS) may help head-trauma victims stuck in a state of semiconsciousness, after an experiment apparently restored some of one patient’s abilities to function and communicate.

The technique, which has been shown to be effective for treating some patients with Parkinson’s disease, severe pain, epilepsy, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, involves inserting tiny electrodes into the brain to stimulate specific regions.