Areas of persisting controversy in brain death

The tragic case of Jahi McMath reignited public controversy in the United States over the concept, practice, and legal status of brain death.1 Brain death is the familiar though misleading term for human death determination on the basis of irreversible cessation of the clinical functions of the brain. Burkle et al.2 have written an insightful analysis of the McMath case and provided a useful review of the salient ethical and legal issues that it raises. We fully endorse their comments and conclusions, which reflect the prevailing medical and legal standards of brain death in the United States. As supporters of brain death, our work has attempted to consolidate its conceptual, scientific, medical, and legal foundation. Like the senior author, Eelco Wijdicks, we have worked with the American Academy of Neurology to further brain death professional education and quality medical practice.