This result, though preliminary, suggests it might be possible to establish some sort of dialogue with people who had previously been considered all but brain-dead. That would be extraordinary.

这个结果虽然还是初步的，但是它意味着有可能可以和之前被判断为除脑死亡外全身瘫痪的人建立某种对话，这将会是非同寻常的。

youdao

This result, though preliminary, suggests it might be possible to establish some sort of dialogue with people who had previously been considered all but brain-dead.

ECONOMIST: Vegetative state