Passive functional mapping of receptive language areas using electrocorticographic signals

Clin Neurophysiol. 2018 Dec;129(12):2517-2524. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.09.007. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Abstract

Objective: To validate the use of passive functional mapping using electrocorticographic (ECoG) broadband gamma signals for identifying receptive language cortex.

Methods: We mapped language function in 23 patients using ECoG and using electrical cortical stimulation (ECS) in a subset of 15 subjects.

Results: The qualitative comparison between cortical sites identified by ECoG and ECS show a high concordance. A quantitative comparison indicates a high level of sensitivity (95%) and a lower level of specificity (59%). Detailed analysis reveals that 82% of all cortical sites identified by ECoG were within one contact of a site identified by ECS.

Conclusions: These results show that passive functional mapping reliably localizes receptive language areas, and that there is a substantial concordance between the ECoG- and ECS-based methods. They also point to a more refined understanding of the differences between ECoG- and ECS-based mappings. This refined understanding helps to clarify the instances in which the two methods disagree and can explain why neurosurgical practice has established the concept of a "safety margin."

Significance: Passive functional mapping using ECoG signals provides a fast, robust, and reliable method for identifying receptive language areas without many of the risks and limitations associated with ECS.

Keywords: ECoG; Electrocorticography; Functional mapping; Intracranial; Receptive language.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Electrocorticography / methods*
  • Female
  • Gamma Rhythm
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged