Brain Can Remain Active Long After Heart Stops, New Research Shows

A new study has found that the human brain may remain active for a short period after the heart stops beating, challenging long-held assumptions about the moments immediately following death. The research suggests that in some cases, the brain can show signs of awareness during resuscitation, even when a patient is clinically dead.

The study, published in the journal Resuscitation, was led by Sam Parnia of NYU Langone Medical Center. Researchers analysed 53 patients who survived cardiac arrest across 25 hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom to better understand brain activity during resuscitation efforts.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood. Traditionally, doctors have believed that the brain begins to suffer irreversible damage within about 10 minutes due to oxygen deprivation. However, the new findings indicate that measurable brain activity may persist for much longer in certain cases.

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According to the researchers, some revived patients reported recalling events that occurred while they were clinically dead, suggesting the possibility of retained awareness during resuscitation. The team observed signs of brain function in some patients for up to an hour after cardiac arrest, particularly when high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered.

Experts caution that the findings do not mean consciousness continues normally after death but rather highlight a complex and poorly understood transition period. The study adds to growing scientific interest in the biology of death and may influence future approaches to resuscitation and post-cardiac arrest care.

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