Researchers have developed a sniff test that can detect which patients in a vegetative state following a TBI will regain consciousness.
A simple smell test could help doctors to identify which patients in a vegetative state will recover. 100% of patients in a vegetative state who reacted to the sniff test went on to regain consciousness. 91% of those were still alive three years post-injury.
Researchers report the sniff test may be used to diagnose mild cognitive impairment.