Saw a news about a comatose man waking up after 25 years, and his brain had gotten "rewired" 1st wk July 2006

Question

What intrigued me was that his brain had somehow "rewired" after being comatose for 25 years, which is not supposed to happen, since neurons do not regenerate. It was a featured news at the YahooNews, sometime during the first week of July 2006.

Answer 1

I've read and heard a few times recently that scientists have learned that neurons can and do regenerate in certain situations. Here's an excerpt from the 1st source below:

"Regeneration of Brain Cells

Dateline: 10/21/99

For almost one hundred years, it has been a mantra of biology - brain cells do not regenerate. In a startling discovery that could have profound implications for treating brain disorders and injuries, researchers at Princeton University have discovered that new neurons are continually being added to the brains of adult monkeys. The neurons are added to the cerebral cortex of the brain. "

Also see more detailed discussion in the 2nd source.

Answer 2

Excellent reference above about neuron regeneration. Only, a natural neuron regeneration is a slow process. That might explain the long camatose state of the person in question. Now the process can be accelerated by inducing stem cells to produce neurons and transplanting them into the brain; especially embryonic stem cells, the cells with the most possibilities.

Answer 3

It was actually 19 years. The first thing he wanted was a pepsi!
Thats good advertising! Get the full story from the link below

Answer 4

Yeah, that was totally cool..........