Hidden signs of consciousness in comatose patients.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

As we approach the 20 Anniversary of Terri Schiavo's death by dehydration, I found it important to publish information about a study that shows that large numbers of people in a comatose state have hidden consciousness.

Chris Malone, the assistant science editor for the Daily Mail reported on March 3, 2025 that:

Scientists have discovered a hidden sign of consciousness in comatose patients that shows they can hear and understand the world around them.

The study found bursts of organized, fast frequencies in the patient's overnight brain recordings - indicating normal sleep patterns. The unique activity often appeared before doctors detected signs of 'hidden consciousness' - a level of awareness among people who appear to still be in a coma.

Researchers at Columbia University analyzed 226 recent comatose patients, observing a third displayed the bursts - a phenomenon scientists call 'sleep spindles.'

Therefore a third of the comatose patients showed signs of consciousness. Malone further reported that:

Among those displaying sleep spindles, 76 percent showed some level of consciousness before leaving the hospital and over 40 percent recovered some of their neurological function.

Malone reports that the research shows signs of hope:

Lead author Jan Claassen, a professor of neurology, said that this discovery provides new hope for families with critically injured loved ones.

'We're at an exciting crossroad in neurocritical care where we know that many patients appear to be unconscious, but some are recovering without our knowledge,' said Claassen.

'We're starting to lift the lid a little bit and find some signs of recovery as it's happening,' the lead study author continued.

Previous articles on this topic:

• Media still can't get facts right about Terri Schiavo (Link).
• Study finds that 25% of unresponsive patients have hidden consciousness (Link).
• Surprising new test for predicting recovery from coma (Link).
• Medical experts now agree that severely brain injured patients are often misdiagnosed (Link).
• Persistently unconscious patient awakens after 15 years (Link).