Researchers have taken the saying “back from the dead” to a new level with a discovery that may one day make brain death reversible.
Scientists have managed to bring the eyes of dead organ donors back to life by proving “photosensitive cells in the retina could still respond to light and communicate with each other up to five hours after death, sending signals ‘resembling those recorded from living subjects’”, in research quoted by Daily Mail.
The neurons in the retina form part of the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and brain, according to the site.
The breakthrough raises the possibility that other cells within the system could also be raised and “could eventually lead to bringing back human consciousness in patients who have suffered brain death”, researchers claim.
The authors, writing in the journal Nature, said their study “raises the question of whether brain death, as it is currently defined, is truly irreversible”.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Is brain death reversible? Here’s what new research suggests
Image: 123RF/leolintang
Researchers have taken the saying “back from the dead” to a new level with a discovery that may one day make brain death reversible.
Scientists have managed to bring the eyes of dead organ donors back to life by proving “photosensitive cells in the retina could still respond to light and communicate with each other up to five hours after death, sending signals ‘resembling those recorded from living subjects’”, in research quoted by Daily Mail.
The neurons in the retina form part of the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and brain, according to the site.
The breakthrough raises the possibility that other cells within the system could also be raised and “could eventually lead to bringing back human consciousness in patients who have suffered brain death”, researchers claim.
The authors, writing in the journal Nature, said their study “raises the question of whether brain death, as it is currently defined, is truly irreversible”.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
Indian opposition seeks higher compensation for Covid-19 deaths after damning WHO report
Hospices prove they are not centres where people just go to die
World's oldest person dies in Japan aged 119
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos