Comatose former Israeli PM shows 'significant brain activity'

January 28, 2013 14:30

After remaining in a vegetative state for seven years following a devastating stroke, former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has shown "significant signs" of brain activity, doctors have said.

Doctors at Beersheba's Soroka Medical Center said that "significant brain activity was detected during tests" performed on 84-year-old Sharon.

This activity was detected during each of the MRI scans and in the "matching" areas of the brain, Ynetnews quoted doctors as saying.

Sharon suffered a stroke seven years ago in 2006. Since then, he has been in a vegetative state, connected to a respirator.

Sharon was tested at Soroka with a Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) machine on Thursday.

During the two-hour examination, Sharon was shown photos of family members and doctors played a recording of his son Gilad's voice in order to check if and to what extent his brain responds to external stimulation.

The tests' findings showed "significant" brain activity.

Additional tests were performed to determine Sharon's awareness to his surroundings, but they did not give a clear indication that he is in fact aware of his surroundings.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

In Pictures - Man City hammer Brighton to keep pressure on leaders Arsenal

Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City stepped up their bid for a fourth Premier League crown in a row with a ruthless 4-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.

India-made chips may soon power iPhones

Micron Technology, a global leader in memory and storage, is considering supplying Made-in-India chips from its Gujarat plant to one of its key global clients, Apple, whose vendors assemble iPhones in the country. Micron is setting up...

EC 'Super Super Cautious' About Modi

The first time the Election Commission has taken cognisance of a model code of conduct complaint against a sitting prime minister.

Monsoon Will Be 'Above-Normal' This Year

It is in more than a decade that the IMD has predicted 'above-normal' rains in the country.

Long runway of growth for AMCs

Although net inflows into equity mutual funds deteriorated month-on-month (M-o-M) in March 2024 to Rs 22,576 crore (excluding Hybrid), down 15 per cent M-o-M (up 12 per cent Y-o-Y), asset management companies (AMCs) had a great year with...