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Drug Found to Aid Vegetative Patients
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."
This could be a truly amazing discovery that could benefit many people. Just think of all the people who have had their nutrients cut off by their loved ones that could still be alive and functional today if they had access to this drug. It could provide hope for people who have been in comas for short periods of time, or long periods. Also, coming out of a coma is a very slow process and is not a sudden awakening. I wonder if it could help people recover more quickly from a coma? There is also obviously the danger that some people might want to take this drug for cognitive boosting effects which would not be a good thing if it was not highly tested before hand. For every drug that has a great benefit someone will want to use it for something else. Of course this is not always bad, but people need to be very, very cautious and realize that abusing drugs is not worth the risk personally, to someones health, or legally! Obey the law!
Technobunga - Refreshing High Tech Geek Fuel and Modern Happenings
Goddamit.
It's bound to happen.
Did we pull the plug too early? Was her brain already beyond the rescue point? Would this have helped?
Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
Oh boy. If you thought the Catholic Church was angry about the Da Vinci Code, wait until you see how this drug that undoes the veggie-mental-state will annoy them.
zzzzzzzzz...
mmm...uh...what?...
zzzzzzzzz...
think what it can do for ZOMBIES!
/me runs
i for one welcome our new flesh eating overlords!
I'm a rabbit startled by the headlights of life
You're lucky they didn't decide to starve you to death.
S/he probably doesn't have a spouse who hates the in-laws and needs money only available when there's a death warrant.