Is brain death reversible?

“With the convergence of the disciplines of regenerative biology, cognitive neuroscience and clinical resuscitation, we are poised to delve into an area of scientific understanding previously inaccessible with existing technologies.”

While death occurs when all biological functions that sustain life cease completely, brain death, on the other hand, takes place when a person no longer has any brain stem functions – resulting in permanent loss of consciousness. But humans who are brain dead can still perform other bodily functions like digest food, circulate blood and excrete, despite technically being no longer alive. And researchers believe, in the right circumstances, there is a chance some brain stem cells may be able to re-start life again in humans.

“While human beings lack substantial regenerative capabilities in the CNS, many non-human species, such as amphibians, planarians, and certain fish, can repair, regenerate and remodel substantial portions of their brain and brain stem even after critical life-threatening trauma,” Bioquark website states. “Additionally, recent studies on complex brain regeneration in these organisms have highlighted unique findings in relation to the storage of memories following destruction of the entire brain, which may have wide ranging implications for our understanding of consciousness and the stability of memory persistence.”

It is believed scientists will use various methods – that include using lasers and peptides injections as well as nerve stimulations to look for signs of regeneration. “Through our study, we will gain unique insights into the state of human brain death, which will have important connections to future therapeutic development for other severe disorders of consciousness, such as coma, and the vegetative and minimally conscious states, as well as a range of degenerative CNS conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr Sergei Paylian, founder and president of Bioquark Inc.