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The second sensory area in humans: evoked potential and electrical stimulation studies
Annals of Neurology
|February 1, 1985
Summary
This study identified a novel secondary sensory area in the human brain using electrophysiology and stimulation. This area is crucial for motor control and sensory feedback integration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Electrophysiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Intractable seizures require precise localization for surgical intervention.
- Chronic subdural electrode arrays are used for epilepsy evaluation.
- Understanding functional brain areas is key to effective treatment.
Observation:
- Somatosensory evoked potentials and electrical stimulation mapped the right frontal lobe.
- A distinct area anterior to the motor strip showed unique evoked potential characteristics.
- Electrical stimulation of this area produced sensory and motor deficits.
Findings:
- A secondary sensory area was identified in the inferior frontal gyrus.
- This area demonstrated altered evoked potentials (lower amplitude, longer latency).
- Stimulation evoked sensory disturbances and motor control inhibition, including speech arrest.
Implications:
- This is the first report of a human secondary sensory area identified by both evoked potentials and stimulation.
- The secondary sensory area overlaps with motor control regions.
- This suggests a role in providing sensory feedback for motor integration and planning.