Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the human motor cortex

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Functional Neuroimaging
• Brain Mapping

Background:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique.
• Motor task activation studies are crucial for understanding brain function.
• Standard MRI systems and conventional sequences can be utilized for fMRI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with conventional sequences for motor cortex mapping.
• To assess the ability of fMRI to detect activation in the motor cortex during motor tasks.
• To determine if fMRI can provide useful preoperative information in patients with brain tumors affecting the motor cortex.

Main Methods:

• fMRI was performed during motor task activation (finger tapping) in five healthy subjects and one patient with meningioma.
• Conventional fast low-angle shot sequences on a 2.0 T system were used.
• Signal intensity changes in the motor cortex were analyzed during task performance.

Main Results:

• A high intensity area in the motor cortex was observed in all normal subjects during motor tasks.
• Signal intensity increases in the motor cortex ranged from 1.5-23.5% during finger tasks, with no significant side difference.
• In the patient with meningioma, fMRI demonstrated posterior displacement of the motor cortex due to the tumor.

Conclusions:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is achievable with standard MRI systems and conventional gradient echo sequences.
• fMRI effectively maps brain motor cortex activation.
• Preoperative mapping of the motor cortex using fMRI provides valuable clinical information, particularly in cases of tumor-induced displacement.