Several national surveys indicate there is widespread misunderstanding about brain death, by both the public and the news media. Each year there are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people declared dead by neurologic criteria and, as our population ages, these numbers may increase. Thus, members of the public are increasingly searching for information about brain death, and they often find conflicting and incorrect information. Well-intentioned but misinformed reporting has resulted in increased confusion. The Neurocritical Care Society, an organization comprised of many the world’s top clinical neuroscience experts, presents this FAQ to shed light upon this topic and dispel the most common misunderstandings. The intended audience is the general public, including families, patients, journalists, and anyone seeking clarification on the subject of brain death.

This FAQ answers questions such as:

• Why is brain death so confusing?
• What causes brain death?
• How is brain death diagnosed?
• What happens to a person once brain death is diagnosed?
• Don’t you need a brain scan or a brain wave test for brain death?
• ...and many more!