Brain Death?

[nrw350]

Hey all,

Somehow the topic on what happens to our bodies after death came up today with a friend and myself. He said he saw somewhere that the brain continues to send signals even after biological death, and the those singals continue for up to a month after death. I am wonder if this is true, and how this is possible. I would think that after say one day that the brain would be completely dead.

Nick

[bestblondRN]

Originally posted by NurseGirlKaren

Heart in pithed frog / brain: different

myocardial cells have automaticity; brain cells don't

Very well said Karen!

[OrthoNutter]

Karen....very succinct! Gold star for you! :)

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

bestblondRN

Can you please explain your aboce post? thank you.

[zumalong]

While it is true the heart will keep on beating after brain death--it can only do this sucessfully with O2. The resp system will not function when the brain is stopped (dead in its tracks so to speak)--the only why to maintain vital organs for donation is with ventilator support and med support to keep b/p up. No cell will survive without O2--so I don't see how any neurons can keep firing at all.

As far as working with brain dead people remember one flew over the cockoo's nest: I'd rather a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!! :roll