Os textos são da exclusiva responsabilidade dos autores
All texts are of the exclusive responsibility of the authors
MULTI-CENTRE STUDY INTO THE RELATIONSHIP OF MEMORIES,
CONSCIOUSNESS AND NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES DURING CARDIAC ARREST
Dr. Sam Parnia
University of Southampton
Grant nº 142/08
Abstract:
A number of recent studies have indicated that 10% of cardiac arrest survivors report memories
and thought processes from their period of resuscitation (near death experiences). A small
proportion of survivors have also described the ability to “see” and “hear” details of their cardiac
arrest. Even though the significance and mechanisms that lead to these experiences are not fully
understood, nevertheless their occurrence may have significant implications for establishing
clinical markers of improved brain resuscitation, as well as long term psychological support of
cardiac arrest survivors. The occurrence of cognitive function during cardiac arrest also raises the
possibility that patients may have received improved “cerebral resuscitation” leading to
consciousness and the activity of the mind. Furthermore, the occurrence of such experiences in
cardiac arrest survivors has also been shown to lead to long-term positive life enhancing effects.
Through a variety of psychological and physiological tests we aim to conduct the first
comprehensive study examining the relationship between the mind, consciousness, and near
death experiences with the brain during cardiac arrest. Specifically, we aim to study the
relationship between consciousness and resuscitation where patients’ experiences and cognition
will be examined qualitatively after their cardiac arrest. The tests of consciousness include the
use of independent markers designed to objectively examine the validity of survivor’s claims of
being able to “see” and “hear” during cardiac arrest as well as their underlying association with
socio-cultural and cognitive parameters. We will also examine the relationship between cognitive
function during cardiac arrest with clinical and physiological markers, the severity of cardiac
arrest, as well as markers of the relative effectiveness of resuscitation. An understanding of the
nature of human consciousness and mental processes including near death experiences during
cardiac arrest and its relationship with brain perfusion may have significant implications for
understanding the nature of consciousness and its relationship with the brain as well as improving
the management of cardiac arrest resuscitation including the long term psychological care of
survivors.