What does brain death signify?

Brain death signifies the irreversible loss of all functions of the brain, including the brainstem, which is responsible for regulating essential bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and consciousness. In this state, the individual cannot become conscious or recover any brain activity; thus, they are considered legally and clinically dead. The necessity for mechanical assistance arises because, although the body may be artificially maintained for a time, all neurological functions have permanently ceased. In such cases, the patient will not breathe independently and cannot sustain life without the aid of mechanical devices that support bodily functions, thus transitioning towards end-of-life decisions and potentially organ donation discussions.