Sleep Brain Waves May Predict Consciousness Recovery in Comatose Patients

New research identifies sleep spindles as a potential marker for hidden consciousness and recovery after acute brain injuries.

A study of 226 comatose patients found that sleep spindles, bursts of brain activity during sleep, are linked to higher chances of regaining consciousness and functional independence.
Patients with both sleep spindles and cognitive motor dissociation were significantly more likely to recover, with 76% showing signs of consciousness by hospital discharge.
One year after injury, 41% of these patients had regained neurological function with minor or moderate disabilities, compared to only 7% of patients without these markers.
Researchers suggest that improving sleep conditions in ICUs could potentially enhance recovery, although further studies are needed to confirm this approach.
The findings are not yet ready for clinical use but represent a promising step toward better predicting recovery outcomes in patients with recent brain injuries.