Noninvasive- and invasive mapping reveals similar language network centralities - A function-based connectome...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurosurgery
• Brain Mapping

Background:

• Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) and navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) comparisons have historically focused on cortical mapping.
• Differences in subcortical and network-level visualization between DCS and nTMS remain unclear.
• Network centrality metrics are crucial for assessing the importance of mapped brain regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare language network analysis between DCS and nTMS.
• To investigate differences in network centrality metrics derived from both mapping techniques.
• To evaluate the utility of nTMS for tracing language-related networks, particularly ventral stream tracts.

Main Methods:

• Function-based connectome analysis was performed on 27 patients undergoing preoperative nTMS and intraoperative DCS for language mapping.
• Language-related network centralities were compared between the two mapping methods.
• Tractography consistency for the arcuate and superior longitudinal fascicles was assessed.

Main Results:

• Cortical nTMS language mapping showed a 74.1% positive predictive value compared to DCS, with good tractography consistency.
• Network centralities did not significantly differ between DCS and nTMS.
• nTMS mapping facilitated superior tracing of ventral stream tracts, highlighting its strength in mapping language networks.

Conclusions:

• Non-invasive nTMS-based network analysis is comparable to invasive DCS for identifying language networks.
• nTMS offers advantages in visualizing specific language-related tracts, improving the understanding of functional neuroanatomy.
• Decentralization in language areas can indicate language function loss.