Visual networks: Electric brain stimulation and diffusion tensor imaging

The present study investigated the networks of visual functional areas using electric brain stimulation (EBS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Thirteen patients with intractable focal epilepsy in which visual functional areas were identified by EBS were enrolled. An electric stimulation at 50Hz was applied to electrodes during several tasks. DTI was used to identify subcortical fibers originating from the visual functional areas identified by EBS.

The electrical stimulation induced three types of visual symptoms: visual illusions (change of vision), visual hallucinations (appearance of a new object), and blurred vision. Visual illusions were associated with stimulation of lateral temporo-parieto-occipital areas, and visual hallucinations with stimulation of lateral/basal temporal areas, the occipital lobe and the precuneus. Stimulus intensities eliciting visual illusions were significantly higher than those for visual hallucinations. Tractography revealed that the superior fronto-occipital fasciculus was associated with visual illusions and the middle longitudinal fasciculus with visual hallucinations, and both symptoms shared several subcortical fibers such as the vertical occipital fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, optic radiations, and commissural fibers.

The present study revealed the characteristic cortical regions and networks of visual functional areas. The results obtained provide information on human visual functions and are a practical guide for electrical cortical stimulation.