What is brain death?

Brain death is a diagnosis of death that is both medically and legally recognized. Brain death occurs when blood flow to the brain stops for an extended period of time. Without blood, the brain has no source of oxygen and without oxygen, the brain begins to die. A brain dead individual has been defined as one "who has either (1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or (2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brains" (Uniform Determination of Death Act, promulgated in 1980). Brain death may be caused by any condition that stops blood flow to the brain. Examples include acute injuries such as automobile accidents or when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. These conditions cause the brain to swell. If this swelling is not controlled, blood flow to the brain will stop, permanently resulting in brain death. For more information about Brain Death, log onto www.braindeath.org.