Real-time, time–frequency mapping of event-related cortical activation

Abstract

Functional mapping of eloquent cortex is a common and necessary component of neurosurgical operative planning. Current electrical stimulation-based techniques are inefficient, can evoke seizures and are prone to false-negative results. Here, we present a novel cortical mapping system that extracts event-related neural activity from passive electrocorticographic recordings to quickly and accurately localize sensory and motor cortices using the precise temporal properties of spectral alteration. This procedure generates a robust functional motor and sensory cortical map in seconds, and usually with less than five to ten trial events. Our algorithm demonstrates high concordance with results derived using independent electrical cortical stimulation mapping.