Brain death

Brain death occurs when the brain has permanently lost all its functions, including those responsible for breathing and consciousness. This means no brain activity remains, and the person cannot recover. Even if the heart is still beating with assistance from machines, the individual is legally and medically considered dead because the brain is no longer functioning and cannot regain its activities. Brain death is different from coma or vegetative states, as it indicates complete and irreversible cessation of brain activity. It is a standard criterion used to determine death in medical practice.