What is functional brain mapping?
Seizures beginning in the area of motor, sensory or language function are clinically mapped using stimulation mapping. Mapping is performed by stimulating the brain at low electrical current and mapping the appearance of a localized muscle jerk or loss of higher cortical function. This mapping can be performed intraoperatively (during surgery) with an awake patient or extraoperatively with sheets of grid electrodes. The seizure may begin in a crucial area of brain function and surgery may not be recommended. Fortunately, this is not a common occurrence.
