Electrodes let brain-injured man speak again
A study estimates that roughly 112,000 to 280,000 Americans are currently in a "minimally conscious sate," which means that patients show only occasional awareness of themselves and their environment. For the most part, there is very few to no treatment options with a very low success rate, and more often than not the chances of reversing these effects are impossible. However, one man’s story is giving hope to those in a similar situation.
A New York man suffered sever brain damage when was assaulted over six years ago, and since then has been in a doctor supervised treatment center for people in a "minimally conscious state," where he was unable to perform daily tasks like eating and speaking. Researchers chose this man to receive an experimental treatment where electrodes are placed deep inside the brain to increase stimulation, and open "drive" paths that will more easily allow messages to flow in the brain.
The treatment was successful and he is now able to eat and speak on his own. He continues to improve while he now resides at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison, N.J.
While the treatment will need to be tested several more times before it can be approved for additional usage, this does give hope to those in similar situations. You can read more on this story and others like it here.