In a Stroke Patient, Doctor Sees Power of Brain to Recover

When a person suffers from a stroke, usually the blood supply to part of their brain is abruptly disrupted and as a consequence brain cells die due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients. The more severe the stroke, the more likely the families have to listen to heartrending terminology from the doctors. Words such as coma, vegetative state, brain death or cortical death — terms holding similar connotations yet different definitions — can leave both the families and the doctors with a controversial decision to be made.

To read the full story, go to the Washington University in St. Louis.