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Drug Found to Aid Vegetative Patients

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the super-smelling-salts dept.

Oxygen99 writes "BBC News is reporting on some amazing effects of a drug called Zolpidem on patients suffering from persistent vegetative state. Apparently the drug, usually used to treat insomnia, activates dormant areas of the brain that can make patients aware of their surroundings and even hold conversations. This raises several interesting points including the diagnosis of PVS and the attendant ethics of the associated life support, as well as the way the brain responds to injury and damage."

2 of 353 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Great! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Sir, from my anthropological observations, tradition begs me to tender the question:
    Can this pill fix BSOD's then?

    Although it also occurs to one that the phosphor children might also inquire, in the jocular:
    Does it run Linux?

    Finally my colleagues of oft-observed that in the vein of the frustrated technical support gentleman:
    Will this cure my users then?

    Respectfully,
    Amused of 19th Century England

  2. I call mine "Clifford" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    ...because it is huge and red.