Scientists from the University of Michigan have identified a surge of activity in the brains of two dying patients that could unlock the secrets to the brain’s final moments. The researchers have discovered a similar surge of gamma waves in humans that is typically associated with memory processing and conscious perception. The study, which analyzed the electroencephalogram and electrocardiogram signals of four dying patients, found that hypoxia was marked by a surge in gamma activities in two of the patients. While the mechanisms and physiological significance of these findings remain to be fully explored, the study demonstrates that the dying brain can still be active, suggesting a need to reevaluate the role of the brain during cardiac arrest. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
