In this case, the area of the brain responsible for vision becomes disconnected from the rest of the brain. These symptoms are similar to those seen in alcohol-intoxicated individuals. Areas of the brain that may be affected are the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and putamen. Spasticity, rigidity, myoclonus. This can also occur due to spinal cord damage.
Recovery is thought to occur for a variety of reasons.
One theory is that there exists a neuronal reserve which is used to compensate for lost nerve cells. Because an anoxic injury is diffuse and widespread, this may deplete the reserve capacity substantially. Predicting outcome is much like estimating how high a rocket will go up. There are some general factors at the start of the launch which will be helpful, but the actual course of the rocket will also point out future progress. In other words, past and current changes will predict future recovery.