HOW THEY GOT A RESPONSE
The man is fitted with a vagus nerve stimulator.
It is located in the upper left side of his chest, with a double-coil electrode wrapped around the vagus nerve in the neck.
A month after surgery, the stimulator began sending pulses of electricity every half-second to the brain.
The patient is seen crying to his favourite music and is able to smile for the first time.
Brain scans show increased activity in the areas of the brain linked to movement, sensation and awareness (arrowed).