Scientists have successfully preserved an entire mammalian brain using a new technique that could one day enable mind reconstruction. The method, developed by Borys Wróbel's team at Nectome in San Francisco, involves immediate intervention after cardiac arrest to lock cellular structures in place using aldehyde chemicals and cryoprotectants.

Traditional cryonics faces challenges because brain deterioration begins within minutes of blood circulation stopping. Wróbel's approach works around this by being compatible with physician-assisted death, allowing immediate preservation. The team tested the protocol on pigs, achieving excellent preservation of neurons and synapses when intervention began under 14 minutes after cardiac arrest.

The preserved brain structure, known as the connectome, could theoretically be mapped to understand how the brain produces thoughts and perceptions. However, experts caution that even perfect connectome reconstruction wouldn't recreate the original consciousness. The technique raises profound questions about death's definition and offers terminally ill patients a controversial option for potential future revival.