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Cortical reorganization following multiple subpial transection in human brain - a study with positron emission
G Leonhardt1, G Spiekermann, S Müller
1Department of Neurology, University of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45122, Essen, Germany. georg.leonhardt@uni-essen.de
Abstract:
We investigated the cortical activation pattern in a 30-year-old woman 4 years after multiple subpial transection (MST) of the right fronto-parietal cortex and six healthy controls using positron emission tomography. Sequential finger-to-thumb opposition at the frequency of 1.5 Hertz contralateral to the operated hemisphere was used as the activation paradigm. We found preserved cortical activation in the transected fronto-parietal cortex and additional activation of the prefrontal cortex bilaterally and the inferior parietal cortex contralaterally when compared with the control group. This activation pattern indicates that MST induces a rather selective lesion leaving the cortical structures functionally intact. However, it necessitates the recruitment of additional motor areas.