What is brain mapping?

Verified by Dr. Abhidha Shah, Consultant Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai

“Everything we do, every thought we’ve ever had, is produced by the human brain. But exactly how does our brain operate remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries, and it seems the more we probe its secrets, the more surprises we find.”-Neil deGrasse Tyson.

The need for brain mapping

The human brain is an archetypal complex system. Though the anatomy and physiology of the brain is well known, certain higher functions of the brain are still an enigma to neuroscientists. For example: What is consciousness and what parts of the brain are involved in sub serving consciousness? What makes each human unique and defines who he or she is?

Studying this fascinating organ and deciphering its complexities is one of the prime areas of focus of neuroscientists. The field of analyzing the structure and function of the brain is known as brain mapping. Brain mapping as defined by the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics is the use of advanced neuroimaging, neurophysiology, biology, engineering, nanotechnology, molecular and optogenetics and stem cell and cellular biology to create atlas of brain anatomy and function.

Various forms of brain mapping techniques

The brain can be visualized as having a cortex, subcortical white matter, a central core and the ventricular system. The white matter of the brain can be likened to wires in an electric circuit connecting various parts of the brain to each other. Damage to or abnormalities in this white matter connectivity is responsible for a multitude of neurological illnesses.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): The advent of MRI has revolutionized the visualization of both normal and abnormal human brains and is largely responsible for the advancements in neuroscience.
• Functional MRI: It measures changes in the blood flow to detect brain activity. By tracking these changes, researchers & doctors can identify which areas of the brain are active during specific tasks or mental processes. This allows for the mapping of brain networks involved in various functions such as vision, language, memory, and emotion.
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging: This method provides information about the structural connectivity of different brain regions, revealing the pathways along which information flows in & out of the brain. It is widely used in the surgical planning for brain and spinal cord tumors.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) & Magnetoencephalography (MEG): The electrical activity of the brain can also be mapped using advanced imaging techniques, EEG and MEG. Magnetoencephalography records brain activity by recording magnetic fields produced by electric currents that occur in the brain. It allows neurosurgeons to determine the eloquent functional areas of the brain and thus can be spared during surgery.

Awake brain surgery

The most accurate way of mapping brain function is during awake neurosurgery using direct cortical and subcortical electrical stimulation. As neurosurgeons we use this to achieve a balance of maximal tumor resection and preserving a good quality of life for the patient. Mapping of brain function during awake surgery enhances our understanding of higher-level executive functions of the brain, cognition and language.

The Apollo Institute of Neurosciences at Navi Mumbai has a multitude of facilities including state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest technology for neurosurgery and neurology treatment including traumatic brain and spine injury, brain and spinal cord tumors, craniovertebral junction surgery, degenerative spinal diseases, stroke, vascular neurosurgery, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease & congenital malformations.

Connect with our expert, Dr. Abhidha Shah, Consultant Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, the best neurosurgeon in Mumbai for more details.

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.