⁤The first of its kind, an international study shows that approximately 25% of patients with severe brain injuries who appear physically unresponsive are actually conscious. ⁤⁤These individuals had brain activity when prompted to imagine physical movements despite being unable to respond physically — a condition known as cognitive motor dissociation. ⁤⁤The study, involving 353 patients across multiple countries, used advanced brain scans like fMRI and EEG to detect this hidden awareness. ⁤⁤The findings underscore the need to identify and assist these patients, as they may benefit from brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) or other treatments. ⁤⁤However, the study faced limitations, including inconsistent testing methods across different medical centers. ⁤⁤Despite these challenges, the results suggest that the prevalence of conscious awareness in unresponsive patients could be higher, emphasizing the importance of continued research and care for this vulnerable group.

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[Source: Nature, August 14th 2024.]