A nerve implant has restored continuity of consciousness to a man who has been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years . The pioneering procedure challenged the previous belief that there was no chance of a return to consciousness after 12 months in a vegetative state . The procedure involved attaching an implant to stimulate the vagus nerve and , although still paralysed and unable to speak , the 35-year - old was then able to respond to simple commands . The next stages of the research undertaken by the scientists at the Institut des Sciences of Jean Jeannerod in Lyon will be to treat patients with less severe brain injuries .
A nerve implant has restored signs of consciousness to a man who has been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years. The pioneering therapy challenges the previous belief that there was no chance of a return to consciousness after 12 months in a vegetative state. The procedure involved attaching an implant to stimulate the vagus nerve and, although still paralysed and unable to speak, the 35-year-old was then able to respond to simple requests. The next stages of the trials undertaken by the scientists at the Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod in Lyon will be to treat patients with less severe brain injuries.