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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping
Published on: August 12, 2019
[Functional MR imaging of working memory before neurosurgery].
Arthur Peter Wunderlich1, Georg Grön, Veit Braun
1Abt. Diagnostische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm. arthur.wunderlich@uni-ulm.de
Zeitschrift Fur Medizinische Physik
|February 8, 2008
Summary
Functional imaging of working memory aids neurosurgery. Prefrontal tumor patients undergoing surgery showed preserved working memory function post-operation in most cases, demonstrating the technique
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Context:
- Accurate delineation of brain tumor margins is critical for neurosurgical planning and execution.
- Preserving cognitive functions, particularly working memory, is a key goal in neurosurgery for patients with prefrontal tumors.
Purpose:
- To assess the utility of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of working memory for preserving this cognitive function during neurosurgical interventions.
- To evaluate the impact of fMRI-guided surgical planning on working memory outcomes in patients with prefrontal tumors.
Summary:
- Working memory performance was assessed preoperatively in 14 patients with prefrontal tumors using neuropsychological tests.
- fMRI with a two-back paradigm identified working memory-related brain areas in all patients, guiding surgical planning and intra-operative neuronavigation.
- Post-surgery follow-up (3-12 months) revealed unchanged working memory performance in 13 patients, with only one experiencing slight impairment.
Impact:
- Functional imaging of working memory is a valuable tool for neurosurgical planning, contributing to successful tumor resection while preserving cognitive function.
- This approach enhances intra-operative neuronavigation accuracy, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced risk of cognitive deficits.
