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Brain Death MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


MeSH Heading
Brain Death
Tree Number(s)
C10.228.140.151
C10.597.606.358.800.200.100
C23.550.260.159
Unique ID
D001926
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D001926
Scope Note
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)
Entry Term(s)
Brain Dead
Coma Depasse
Irreversible Coma
NLM Classification #
W 820
Previous Indexing
Death (1966-1968)
Public MeSH Note
1972
History Note
1972(1969)
Date Established
1972/01/01
Date of Entry
1999/01/01
Revision Date
2016/06/01
Brain Death Preferred
Irreversible Coma Related
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