Coma and Persistent Vegetative State
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What is Coma and Persistent Vegetative State?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What is Coma and Persistent Vegetative State?
A coma is a profound or deep state of unconsciousness. An individual in a state of coma is alive but unable to move or respond to
his or her environment. Coma may occur as a complication of an underlying illness, or as a result of injuries, such as head
trauma. A persistent vegetative state (commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as "brain-death") sometimes follows a coma. Individuals in such a state have lost
their thinking abilities and awareness of their surroundings, but retain non-cognitive function and normal sleep patterns.
Even though those in a persistent vegetative state lose their higher brain functions, other key functions such as breathing
and circulation remain relatively intact. Spontaneous movements may occur, and the eyes may open in response to external stimuli.
They may even occasionally grimace, cry, or laugh. Although individuals in a persistent vegetative state may appear somewhat
normal, they do not speak and they are unable to respond to commands.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Coma Recovery Association 8300 Republic Airport Suite 106 Farmingdale, NY 11735 inquiry@comarecovery.org http://comarecovery.org Tel: 631-756-1826 Fax: 631-756-1827 |
Brain Trauma Foundation 523 East 72nd Street 8th Floor New York, NY 10021 http://www.braintrauma.org Tel: 212-772-0608 Fax: 212-772-0357 |
Brain Injury Association of America, Inc. 1608 Spring Hill Rd Suite 110 Vienna, VA 22182 braininjuryinfo@biausa.org http://www.biausa.org Tel: 703-761-0750 800-444-6443 Fax: 703-761-0755 |
Family Caregiver Alliance/
National Center on Caregiving 180 Montgomery Street Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94104 info@caregiver.org http://www.caregiver.org Tel: 415-434-3388 800-445-8106 Fax: 415-434-3508 |
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 4200 Forbes Boulevard Suite 202 Lanham, MD 20706-4829 naricinfo@heitechservices.com http://www.naric.com Tel: 301-459-5900/301-459-5984 (TTY) 800-346-2742 Fax: 301-562-2401 |
National Stroke Association 9707 East Easter Lane Suite B Centennial, CO 80112-3747 info@stroke.org http://www.stroke.org Tel: 303-649-9299 800-STROKES (787-6537) Fax: 303-649-1328 |
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Last updated February 12, 2007