Brain death (also known as brain stem death) is when a person on an artificial life support machine no longer has any brain functions. This means they will not regain consciousness or be able to breathe without support. A person who is brain dead is legally confirmed as dead. They have no chance of recovery because their body is unable to survive without artificial life support. If someone is brain dead, the damage is irreversible and, according to UK law, the person has died. It can be confusing to be told someone has brain death, because their life support machine will keep their heart beating and their chest will still rise and fall with every breath from the ventilator. But they will not ever regain consciousness or start
breathing on their own again. They have already died. The brain stem is the lower part of the brain that's connected to the spinal cord (part of the central nervous system in the spinal column). The brain stem is responsible for regulating most of the body's automatic functions that are essential for life. These include:
The brain stem also relays information to and from the brain to the rest of the body, so it plays an important role in the brain's core functions, such as consciousness, awareness and movement. After brain death, it is not possible for someone to remain conscious. Causes of brain deathBrain death can happen when the blood or oxygen supply to the brain is stopped. This can be caused by:
Brain death can also be caused by:
Brain death is different from a vegetative stateThe difference between brain death and a vegetative state (a disorder of consciousness), which can happen after extensive brain damage, is that it's possible to recover from a vegetative state, but brain death is permanent. Someone in a vegetative state still has a functioning brain stem, which means:
Someone in a vegetative state is awake but shows no signs of awareness. For example, they may open their eyes but not respond to their surroundings. In rare cases, a person in a vegetative state may show some sense of response that can be detected using a brain scan, but not be able to interact with their surroundings. Tests to confirm brain deathAlthough rare, a few things can make it appear as though someone is brain dead. These include drug overdoses (particularly from barbiturates) and severe hypothermia. A number of tests are carried out to check for brain death, such as shining a torch into both eyes to see if they react to the light. Find out more about diagnosing brain death Organ donationAfter brain death, it may be possible for the person's organs to be used in transplants, which can often save the lives of others. In cases where a deceased person has not made their wishes clear, deciding whether to donate their organs can be a difficult decision for partners and relatives. Hospital staff are aware of these difficulties and will try to ensure the issue is handled sensitively and thoughtfully. Find out more about organ donation on NHS Blood and Transplant Page last reviewed: 08 September 2022 September 29, 2022 in About Donation Thousands of men, women, and children in the United States are on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants. Together with our partners, donor families, and the community we work towards one goal – that no
one dies waiting. Read More September 26, 2022 in About Donation, Stories The
love and support of family help Greyson through his health journey. Read More August 24, 2022 in About Donation,
Community, Our Experts Any person raising a child has wished for a magic book to tell them how to navigate parenting, especially during difficult times. After the loss of a loved one, its hard for adults to find the right things to say and do for our
children, who believe we hold all the answers. Read More What death is the absence of electrical brain activity?Electroencephalography: Brain death confirmed by documenting the absence of electrical activity during at least 30 minutes of recording that adheres to the minimal technical criteria for EEG recording in suspected brain death as adopted by the American Electroencephalographic Society, including 16-channel EEG ...
What is a neurological death?Brain death, also known as death by neurologic criteria, involves the permanent and complete absence of human brain function. Brain death involves loss of function of both the cerebrum, the “thinking” part of the brain, and the brainstem, the deep brain structure responsible for reflexes and breathing.
What is the medical term for no brain activity?Brain death (also known as brain stem death) is when a person on an artificial life support machine no longer has any brain functions. This means they will not regain consciousness or be able to breathe without support. A person who is brain dead is legally confirmed as dead.
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