Nelson, K. R., Mattingly, M., Lee, S. A., & Schmitt, F. A. (2006). Does the arousal system contribute to near death experience? Neurology, 66() 1003-1009.

Abstract: The neurophysiologic basis of near death experience (NDE) is unknown. Clinical observations suggest that REM state intrusion contributes to NDE. Support for the hypothesis follows five lines of evidence: REM intrusion during wakefulness is a frequent normal occurrence, REM intrusion underlies other clinical conditions, NDE elements can be explained by REM intrusion, cardiorespiratory afferents evoke REM intrusion, and persons with an NDE may have an arousal system predisposing to REM intrusion. To investigate a predisposition to REM intrusion, the life-time prevalence of REM intrusion was studied in 55 NDE subjects and compared with that in age/gender-matched control subjects. Sleep paralysis as well as sleep-related visual and auditory hallucinations were substantially more common in subjects with an NDE. These findings anticipate that under circumstances of peril, an NDE is more likely in those with previous REM intrusion. REM intrusion could promote subjective aspects of NDE and often associated syncope. Suppression of an activated locus ceruleus could be central to an arousal system predisposed to REM intrusion and NDE.

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Topics:
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDEs—Perception of Time
Characteristics of NDEs—Return NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Consciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Circumstances of NDEs—Induced Chemically
Circumstances of NDEs NOS
Dreams and NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological NOS
Methodology in NDE Research
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations

Nouri, F. M., & Holden, J. M. (2008). Electromagnetic aftereffects of near-death experiences Journal of Near-Death Studies, 27(2) 83-110.

Abstract: Near-death experiencers (NDErs) have reported malfunction of electrical devices in their vicinities (Atwater, 1994; Bonenfant, 2005; Ring, 1992; Ring & Valarino, 2000). In this quantitative, retrospective study we investigated electromagnetic effects among NDErs, people who reported a close brush with death without an NDE, and people who reported never having been close to death but who used their most life-changing event as a past reference point. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire and two versions of the researchers-developed Electromagnetic Experiences Questionnaire: during the past year and before the designated life event. Participants who reported a close brush with death also completed the Near-Death Experience Scale (Greyson, 1983). Participants were adults with equivalent demographics: 36 NDErs, 20 nonNDErs who reported a close brush with death, and 46 people who had not been close to death. Results were a greater incidence of reported electromagnetic effects among NDErs than among participants in the other two groups; that retrospectively reported NDEs, more than close brushes with death or life-changing events, tended to mark an increase in electromagnetic effects; and that more electromagnetic effects were correlated with deeper NDEs. Implications for future research are discussed.

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Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Emotional
Aftereffects of NDEs—Physical Changes
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Education Level
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs—Religious Affiliations
Characteristics of NDErs NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Circumstances of NDEs NOS
Methodology in NDE Research

Panditrao, M. M., Singh, C., & Panditrao, M. M. (2010). An unanticipated cardiac arrest and unusual post-resuscitation psycho-behavioural phenomena/near death experience in a patient with pregnancy induced hypertension and twin pregnancy undergoing elective lower segment caesarean section Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 54(5) 467-469.

Abstract: A case report of a primigravida, who was admitted with severe pregnancy induced hypertension (BP 160/122 mmHg) and twin pregnancy, is presented here. Antihypertensive therapy was initiated. Elective LSCS under general anaesthesia was planned. After the birth of both the babies, intramyometrial injections of Carboprost and Pitocin were administered. Immediately, she suffered cardiac arrest. Cardio pulmonary resucitation (CPR) was started and within 3 minutes, she was successfully resuscitated. The patient initially showed peculiar psychological changes and with passage of time, certain psycho-behavioural patterns emerged which could be attributed to near death experiences, as described in this case report.

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Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Biographical, Cases
Aftereffects of NDEs—Relationships (familial, social)
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs—Psychological Profile
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Light, Mystical
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Characteristics of NDEs—Tunnel Experiences
Circumstances of NDEs—Consciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEs—Hospital
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Education about NDEs
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Medical
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Psychological
Psychopharmacology and NDEs NOS

Parnia, S. (2007). Do reports of consciouness during cardiac arrest hold the key to discovering the nature of consciousness? Medical Hyptheses, 69() 933-937.

Abstract: Perhaps the biggest challenge facing neuroscience at the dawn of the 21st century is understanding therelationship between mind, consciousness and the brain. Editorials in recent years have highlighted the difficulties faced by cognitive neuroscience in attempting to answer questions regarding the nature, as well as the mechanism by which subjective experiences and our sense of consciousness may arise through neuronal processes. Current scientific views regarding the origin of consciousness vary widely and range from an ‘epiphenomenon’ arising from neuronal networks, to neuronal quantum processes, to a separate undiscovered scientific entity. Although there has been a lack of experimental studies to test these theories, recent studies have indicated that the study of the human mind during cardiac arrest may hold the key to solving the mystery of consciousness. Four published prospective studies of cardiac arrest survivors have demonstrated that paradoxically human mind and consciousness may continue to function during cardiac arrest. This is despite the well demonstrated finding that cerebral functioning as measured by electrical activity of the brain ceases during cardiac arrest, thus raising the possibility that human mind and consciousness may continue to function in the absence of brain function. In this article the broad theories for the causation of consciousness are reviewed as well as a novel method to study consciousness during cardiac arrest. This may provide a unique experimental method to determine the nature of human mind and consciousness as well as its relationship with the brain.

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Topics:
Altered States and NDEs
Circumstances of NDEs—Consciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEs—Hospital
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Mental Processes and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Science and NDEs
Veridical Perception during NDEs

Parnia, S., Spearpoint, K., & Fenwick, P. B. (2007). Near death experiences, cognitive function and psychological outcomes of surviving cardiac arrest Resuscitation, 74(2) 215-221.

Abstract: Cardiac arrest is associated with a number of cognitive processes as well as long term psychological outcomes. Recent studies have indicated that approximately 10—20% of cardiac arrest survivors report cognitive processes, including the ability to recall specific details of their resuscitation from the period of cardiac arrest. In addition it has been demonstrated that these cognitive processes are consistent with the previously described near death experience and that those who have these experiences are left with long term positive life enhancing effects. There have also been numerous studies that have indicated that although the quality of life for cardiac arrest survivors is generally good, some are left with long term cognitive impairments as well as psychological sequelae such as post-traumatic stress disorder. This paper will review near death experiences, cognitive function and psychological outcomes in survivors of cardiac arrest.

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Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Altered States and NDEs
Circumstances of NDEs—Consciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEs—Hospital
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Medical
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Psychological
Mental Processes and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Psychopharmacology and NDEs—Anesthesia
Science and NDEs