Language localization by magnetoencephalography

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology 2016-03, Vol.127 (3), p.e22-e22
• Main Author: Pataraia, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Neurology
• ISSN: 1388-2457; 1872-8952
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.11.061

Identification of the brain regions mediating language has always been the most urgently sought after due to its practical applications: advanced knowledge of the language-specific zones can facilitate surgical planning and reduce the morbidity associated with resection of eloquent cortex. Currently the Wada-test is considered the gold standard for preoperative language lateralization, while direct cortical stimulations are necessary to provide information on the exact intra-hemispheric language localization. The disadvantage of both of these methods lies in the invasiveness of each procedure. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) takes advantage of the fact that neuromagnetic signals penetrate the skull and scalp without distortion. The magnetic source image (MSI) is created when the MEG data is superimposed on a magnetic resonance image (MRI). MEG performs noninvasive functional imaging by recording the magnetic flux on the head surface associated with electrical currents in activated sets of neurons. MEG is now the imaging modality of choice where a precise and high degree of localization is required and can be used for localization of areas involved with receptive language function, its organization and reorganization under different conditions, i.e. brain injury. MEG can be used to complement structural and metabolic imaging techniques.