A new study has revealed that after death, some people may be able to 'replay' some of their best memories.
The human brain is something that has baffled scientists and there is still a lot that we don't know about it.
However the study, that could provide hope for many during a dark period in their life, has suggested that those who have passed away may have a peaceful and relaxed state when the brain shuts down, allowing them to re-live some of the best times in their life.
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The study, published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, measured brain activity in a man with epilepsy after he was hooked to an electroencephalogram (EEG) when he passed away.
In the 15-minute period before the 87-year-old's death, there was reported increase in gamma-band activity in the brain roughly 30 seconds either side of him dying, reports the Daily Record.
Scientists also found that "the brain may be playing a last recall of important life events."
The report stated that the "human brain may possess the capability to generate coordinated activity during the near-death period."
Dr Ajmal Zemmar, a neurosurgeon at the University of LouisvilleZemmar and the one behind the study said: "Through generating oscillations involved in memory retrieval, the brain may be playing a last recall of important life events just before we die, similar to the ones reported in near-death experiences.
"These findings challenge our understanding of when exactly life ends and generate important subsequent questions, such as those related to the timing of organ donation."
A press release stated: "Imagine reliving your entire life in the space of seconds. Like a flash of lightning, you are outside of your body, watching memorable moments you lived through. This process, known as 'life recall', can be similar to what it’s like to have a near-death experience.
"What happens inside your brain during these experiences and after death are questions that have puzzled neuroscientists for centuries.
"However, a new study published to Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience suggests that your brain may remain active and coordinated during and even after the transition to death and may even be programmed to orchestrate the whole ordeal."
The theory requires further investigation as the evidence is said to have come from a patient suffering from epilepsy who suffered "injury, seizures and swelling" which complicates the interpretation of the data.
Despite this Dr Zemmar added that the findings could provide as a source of hope for people who have lost a loved one.
He said: "As a neurosurgeon, I deal with loss at times. It is indescribably difficult to deliver the news of death to distraught family members.
"Something we may learn from this research is: although our loved ones have their eyes closed and are ready to leave us to rest, their brains may be replaying some of the nicest moments they experienced in their lives."
