Researchers in Canada recorded the brain activity of an 87-year-old man during his final moments after he unexpectedly died from a heart attack while undergoing an EEG test. The study revealed an increase in gamma oscillations, which are linked to memory retrieval and dreaming. This suggests the man might have been reliving significant life events just before he died, supporting the idea of a person’s life “flashing before their eyes.”
Lead author Dr. Ajmal Zemmar explained that this brain activity could indicate a final recall of important memories, a phenomenon reported in near-death experiences. The findings raise questions about the exact moment life ends and the implications for organ donation timing.
The study, published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, showed similar brainwave patterns to those observed in rats during death, but this is the first time it has been recorded in humans. However, the team cautioned that further research is necessary due to the small sample size and the patient’s pre-existing brain condition.
This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the brain’s behavior at the time of death, though more research is needed to understand whether these findings apply broadly to other individuals.
