There has been an irreversible cessation of all activity in both the brain and the brain stem. Reflexes that go through the spinal cord may persist even in a brain-dead state.

“Brain death,” the expression for irreversible loss of brain function, is declared when brain stem reflexes, motor responses, and respiratory drive are absent after careful exclusion of ...

There are three primary causes of brain death, according to the new guidelines: coma with a known cause; absence of brain stem reflexes; and breathing has permanently stopped.

THE presence of 3-5 per cent of carbon dioxide in the air prevents or alleviates the untoward effects of a low oxygen content (8-9 per cent) on brain stem reflexes and also on vision, muscular co ...