Mapping of further brain functions

Abstract

Highly specialized centers also perform intraoperative awake mapping of higher neuropsychological functions apart from language function such as arithmetic processing, visuospatial attention, face processing, categorization, working memory, judgment, processing of facial emotions, or even playing instruments and singing. The results of motor and language mappings by nTMS have repeatedly shown a good correlation in comparison with the results of the gold standard technique of intraoperative DES. In the past, rTMS has significantly contributed to our current knowledge of cortical representations of higher neuropsychological functions. Now, with respect to the application in neurosurgical patients, first studies using navigated rTMS (nrTMS) have been published and show quite encouraging results concerning the clinical use of this approach. By the preoperative use of nrTMS in patients, neurosurgeons are able to include these data into preoperative planning to transfer data to the operating room and to visualize subcortical pathways by nrTMS-based DTI-FT. Thereby, the mapping of higher neuropsychological functions by nrTMS contributes to an advanced perioperative neurocognitive assessment.