A condition in which a patient is aware and awake, but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body except for the eyes. It is the result of a brain stem lesion in which the ventral part of the pons is damaged.
There is no standard treatment for locked-in syndrome, nor is there a cure. Stimulation of muscle reflexes with electrodes has been known to help patients regain some muscle function. Other courses of treatment are often symptomatic. Assistive computer interface technologies, such as Dasher in combination with eye tracking may be used to help patients communicate. New direct brain interface mechanisms may provide future remedies.
With more understanding of lock-in syndrome and watching "The Diving Bell and butterfly", what purpose was left in Jean's life. How did he come to terms with it? If I'm locked-in, unable to connect with my physical world voluntarily, what propels me to take my next breathe?
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