Heaven can wait - or down to earth in real time: Near-death experience revisited.
Near-death experience (NDE) is an intriguing phenomenon that invites more questions than answers. Hitherto emphasis has been laid on apparent similarities in accounts of NDE to prove a supernatural origin while in fact unique differences besides gross similarities support a neurophysiological explanation. A teleological approach is suggested to explain the neuroprotective strategies involved and accordingly a forme fruste of the biological concept of hibernation is put forward as an unifying hypothesis for clarification. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:359-62.).
van Tellingen
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Cardiologist, Roosendaal, the Netherlands.