Event-related fMRI of the somatosensory system using electrical finger stimulation

Cortical signal intensity changes due to brief (1 s) innocuous electrical stimuli applied to the second and fifth finger of the right hand were measured by means of fMRI at 1.5 T. The activation pattern in this event-related fMRI approach closely resembled that obtained in recent block-design studies. Activations were found in contralateral primary (SI) and bilaterally in secondary (SII) somato-sensory cortex as well as in posterior parietal cortex, insula, and supplementary motor area (SMA). In SI, the somatotopic organization of the hand area is demonstrated, more clearly to be seen in area 3b than in area 1 and 2. In conclusion, the feasibility to employ event-related somatosensory stimulation paradigms in fMRI studies is demonstrated.