Studies Show “Hidden Signs of Consciousness” in Comatose Patients

As we approach the 20th anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death by dehydration and starvation, I found it important to publish information about a study that shows that large numbers of people in a comatose state have hidden signs of 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.

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

Brain circuits that are fundamental for consciousness are also key to how we sleep, the Columbia team explained.

Moreover, scientists said comatose patients with this type of hidden consciousness showed signs they were already on the road to recovery from their brain injuries and many dealt with fewer disabilities later in life.

Malone went on to explain that

For the patients in Claassen’s study, the spindles show that they’re still hearing people talk and feel them squeeze their hand, and those sensations are still traveling to the brain’s cortex where the mind reacts to what’s happening – even if people sitting next to them can’t see a noticeable reaction.

Over three-quarter—76%– of those displaying sleep spindles

showed some level of consciousness before leaving the hospital and over 40 percent recovered some of their neurological function. 

Jan Claassen, a professor of neurology, and lead author of the study that appeared in Nature Medicine “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).

LifeNews.com Note: Alex Schadenberg is the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and you can read his blog here.