brain death

I'm reading one of my usual trashy crime thriller books, and came across something I hadn't heard of before, so i was hoping someone could explain. (I'm sorry if this is a really dumb question, by the way) Two characters are taking about a person who has been taken off life support, as they...

The CNN headline for this story is, "Brain Dead Baby Recovers". I'd say it's mostly an overhyped and irresponsible bit of journalism--the headline especially. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/02/22/lazar.miracle.baby.KCAL The facts of the story are that a toddler fell in a swimming...