Is the brainstem damaged in a vegetative patient?
Oct 11, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
The vegetative state of a vegetative patient essentially belongs to a type of consciousness disorder. The main cause is severe damage to the cerebral cortex function, while parts of the thalamus and the brainstem's ascending activating system remain preserved; thus, the brainstem itself is not damaged. Generally, vegetative patients have normal body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, and they can breathe spontaneously, but they lack consciousness and are unable to speak or think normally.
Under normal circumstances, a vegetative patient's brainstem is intact, while the cerebral cortex function is severely impaired. The vegetative state essentially represents a type of disorder of consciousness, primarily caused by severe damage to cerebral cortical function, with partial preservation of the thalamus and the ascending activating system in the brainstem; therefore, the brainstem remains undamaged. Generally, vegetative patients maintain relatively normal body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, and are capable of spontaneous breathing. Some patients may even open their eyes, exhibit voluntary eye movements, cough, or hiccup. However, they lack consciousness, cannot speak or think normally, and are unable to perform chewing and swallowing movements voluntarily.
Common treatment approaches for vegetative patients include medication, acupuncture therapy, and surgical interventions. Medications often involve traditional Chinese medicines such as musk and borneol, which have resuscitative effects on the brain, as well as Western medicines that promote neuronal metabolism. Acupuncture therapy typically involves stimulating acupoints such as Yintang (EX-HN3), Renzhong (GV26), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), combined with electrical stimulation to enhance cerebral circulation and thereby improve brain physiological functions.
