Function of the Human Cingulate Cortex: A Brainnetome Atlas-Based Study via Cortical Electrical Stimulation in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Functional neuroanatomy
• Epilepsy research

Background:

• The cingulate gyrus is crucial for diverse neurological functions.
• Its precise functional organization remains incompletely understood.
• Brainnetome Atlas provides a detailed parcellation for functional mapping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map the functional organization of the cingulate gyrus.
• To utilize cortical electrical stimulation (CES) guided by the Brainnetome Atlas.
• To investigate the role of specific cingulate subregions in various neurological responses.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of CES data from 234 epilepsy patients.
• Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) implantation in the cingulate cortex.
• Examination of 1141 stimulation sites across seven cingulate subregions.

Main Results:

• Somatosensory and motor responses localized to middle-posterior subregions.
• Autonomic and emotional responses showed broad distribution, with ventral MCC as an affective hub.
• Pain responses involved anterior and posterior subregions; memory deficits localized to posterior cingulate; visual and vestibular responses clustered in posterior regions.

Conclusions:

• Provides a systematic functional map of the cingulate gyrus using the Brainnetome Atlas.
• Demonstrates the integrated role of the cingulate gyrus in diverse neurological functions.
• Advances understanding of cingulate pathophysiology and aids surgical planning in epilepsy.