Nicholas Schiff Science Cafe Unraveling the Mysteries of the Brain and Mind in the Aftermath of Terri Schiavo Related Cases

Description:

 In this Science Cafe presentation, Schiff began by defining various disorders of consciousness, noting that all start with the coma state, and that the use of various neuroimaging methods helps in diagnosis. There are various levels of vegetative state (e.g., persistent, permanent) but also there exist other categories such as the minimally conscious state, late emergence from the minimally conscious state, and the locked-in state. Schiff demonstrated the value of neuroimaging and the difficulties and limitations of its use and noted that there is a serious need for a framework for longitudinal assessments. There are still risks of misdiagnosis, and Schiff suggested that we reconsider professional standards and ethical obligations for brain-injured patients in such areas as right-to-die and right-to-care and providing proper access to therapeutic advances in the field.