Louisville neurosurgeon marvels at the first-ever recording of a dying human brain

[mahatmakanejeeves]

In the final 30 seconds of your life the brain emits waves that appear to be recollections of old memories.

Unfortunately it's 30 seconds of that time you watched "Cavemen."

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Louisville neurosurgeon marvels at the first-ever recording of a dying human brain

Feb 24, 2022 Updated 1 hr ago

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Scientists around the world and in Louisville are marveling at the first-ever recording of a dying human brain. ... According to a release from the University of Louisville, it happened in Vancouver, Canada, when an 87-year-old patient with epilepsy had a fall. Dr. Raul Vicente of the University of Tartu and his colleagues continuously monitored the patient with electroencephalography. The goal was to detect the seizures, but during the recording of the brain waves, the patient had a heart attack and passed away.

Now, the graphs and images of the last 15 minutes of that patient's life are revealing amazing details about what happens as we die. Evidence shows the brain has bursts of activity similar to memory flashbacks. So the idea of someone's life "flashing before their eyes" may have some truth to it.



Scan of the brain of the patient in Vancouver who was being monitored for seizures when the patient passed away. Image courtesy Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

“We measured 900 seconds of brain activity around the time of death and set a specific focus to investigate what happened in the 30 seconds before and after the heart stopped beating,” said Dr. Ajmal Zemmar, a neurosurgeon at the University of Louisville, who organized the study.

What happens inside your brain after death are questions that have puzzled neuroscientists for centuries. This process, known as “life recall,” can be similar to what it is like to have a near-death experience.

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[Wicked Blue]

1. This reminds me of the 1983 film Brainstorm

starring Christopher Walken and Natalie Wood.

[localroger]

4. One of the best films about science and scientists ever made

Also stupidly ended some careers because of Natalie Wood's death, insurance, and stupid studio politics.

[Hoyt]

2. I suspect brains are different. But this is interesting.

[Joinfortmill]

3. Hope I go back to Paris.

[Bayard]

5. That's pretty interesting

I'll be more impressed if they manage to tape the imagery the person sees.