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In a report of a single patient in a persistent vegetative state, Owen et al. (Brevia, 8 September 2006, p. 1402) claimed that the presence of task-specific brain activation in response to verbal command implies both covert conscious awareness and a capacity for intention. We argue that neither can be securely inferred from the evidence presented.

Original publication

DOI

10.1126/science.1135096

Type

Journal article

Journal

Science

Publication Date

02/03/2007

Volume

315

Keywords

Awareness, Brain, Consciousness, Female, Humans, Intention, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Persistent Vegetative State