[Vegetative condition (state) and conscious thought. Reflections scientific neuro and ethics].

Thirty years ago, the study of the brain lesions of a patient who had remained in a coma for eight years, together with my experience on the degree of wakefulness of animals with similar lesions, compelled me to reflecting on the level of consciousness that our patient had. Recent findings from functional magnetic resonance image, that have shown aspects of speech perception, emotional processing, language comprehension and even conscious awareness might be retained in patients who behaviourally meet all of the criteria that define the vegetative state, have allowed me to make new neuroscientists and ethical reflections.