Diseases

Brain Death

A state of prolonged irreversible cessation of all brain activity, including lower brain stem function with the complete absence of voluntary movements, responses to stimuli, brain stem reflexes, and spontaneous respirations. Reversible conditions which mimic this clinical state (e.g., sedative overdose, hypothermia, etc.) are excluded prior to making the determination of brain death. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp348-9)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A state of prolonged irreversible cessation of all brain activity, including lower brain stem function with the complete absence of voluntary movements, responses to stimuli, brain stem reflexes, and spontaneous respirations. Reversible conditions which mimic this clinical state (e.g., sedative overdose, hypothermia, etc.) are excluded prior to making the determination of brain death. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp348-9)

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Classification

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See Also

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Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Brain Dead
  • Coma Depasse
  • Brain Deads
  • Death, Brain
  • Irreversible Coma
  • Coma, Irreversible

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

12 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, classification, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, immunology, legislation & jurisprudence, metabolism, pathology, physiopathology, urine, veterinary.

MeSH Record

History Note

1972(1969)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Death (1966-1968)

MeSH Hierarchy

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NLM Classification

W 820

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Brain Death. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001926. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001926
  2. Brain Death. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_death
  3. Brain Death. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223867