Patient’s messages by power of thought

Published on 13/11/2012 02:29

A CRASH victim thought to have been in a vegetative state for more than a decade has used the power of thought to tell scientists he is not in pain.

Canadian Scott Routley, from London, Ontario, communicated with researchers via a brain scan, proving he was conscious and aware.

It is the first time such a severely brain-damaged patient has been able to provide clinically relevant information.

British neuroscientist Professor Adrian Owen, who leads the research team at the Brain and Mind Institute of Western Ontario, said: “Scott has been able to show he has a conscious, thinking mind.

“We have scanned him several times and his pattern of brain activity shows he is clearly choosing to answer our questions. We believe he knows who and where he is.”