The patient, a 38-year-old male, had been in a minimally conscious state for six and a half years following severe traumatic brain injury incurred during a violent attack. Since his injury, he occasionally tried to utter words and move his head, but was otherwise unable to communicate, and the doctors who performed the emergency surgery on him believed that he would not recover.

Within 2 days of having the electrodes implanted into his brain, the patient's condition had improved dramatically. He began opening his eyes for long periods of time, and responding to voices by turning his head in both directions.