Non invasive clinical localization of brain cortex

This research project intends to further develop and apply new techniques for non invasive localization of brain cortex. With functional magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency pulses are used to generate 3D images of brain function. With magnetoencephalography the magnetic fields of active neurons are measured and underlying neuronal activity is localized. Goal of this research project is to extend knowledge achieved during the previous project P12451Med to localize essential brain areas of patients completely non invasively. This is important to be able to tell the neurosurgeon where to operate and where tissue destruction would lead to postoperative deficits. It is also important to replace invasive language localization tests and to secure diagnosis and to optimize treatment. Immediate benefits are expected from this project for the patient as well as cost reductions for the health system.

The goal of the project was improvement of non invasive localization of brain activity. When moving, talking or memorizing, major components of these complex brain functions are highly localized at certain positions within the cerebral cortex (comprising a few mm2). In case of damaging such a functionally important brain area, the specific brain function is no longer available, despite all other brain functions working normally (e.g. inability of a patient to speak despite unlimited movement capacity). Before brain surgery, the individual locations of important brain functions must be exactly known for design of adequate surgical procdures. Up to now invasive diagnostic procedures are often used to reach this goal (e.g. recording of electric fields from the brain cortex after implantation of electrodes). Due to the results of our project, localization of major brain functions may now be performed non invasively by using the techniques of functional magnetic resonance imaging (generation of brain activation images by application of external magnetic fields) and magnetoencephalography (scalp recording of magnetic fields produced by the brain). The methodology developed is already in daily use at the Medical University of Vienna.