There may be a scientific explanation for the vivid near-death
experiences, such as seeing a shining light, that some people report
after surviving a heart attack, US scientists said Monday.
The Blue Brain Project is working to build a human brain -- inside a supercomputer.
Apparently, the brain keeps on working for up to 30 seconds
after blood flow stops, according to a study published in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
University of Michigan scientists did their research on nine
lab rats that were anesthetized and then subjected to induced cardiac
arrest as part of the experiment.
In the first 30 seconds after their hearts were stopped, they all showed a surge of brain activity, observed in electroencephalograms (EEGs) that indicated highly aroused mental states.
"We were surprised by the high levels of activity," said senior author George Mashour, professor of anesthesiology and neurosurgery at the University of Michigan.
"In fact, at near-death, many known electrical signatures of consciousness exceeded levels found in the waking state, suggesting that the brain is capable of well-organized electrical activity during the early stage of clinical death."
"We were surprised by the high levels of activity," said senior author George Mashour, professor of anesthesiology and neurosurgery at the University of Michigan.
"In fact, at near-death, many known electrical signatures of consciousness exceeded levels found in the waking state, suggesting that the brain is capable of well-organized electrical activity during the early stage of clinical death."
For the rest of the story: http://news.discovery.com/human/health/brain-activity-shows-basis-of-near-death-experience-130813.htm?SSFEAT=1400DNEWSOGRecs-1367966217880&SREF=CustomerSite&SFBState=Unknown
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