How to measure brain activity for signs of consciousness

Scientists have discovered a new method of communicating with brain damaged patients who appear to be vegetative but are simply unable to respond.

Writing in the Lancet medical journal they describe how they measured electrical activity in the brain to detect consciousness.

The system is portable and they hope it could be used in nursing homes and hospitals to help provide more accurate diagnoses.

Medical correspondent Fergus Walsh met one of the scientists behind the system to discover how it works.