Different neurodiagnostic equipment can be used to perform brain mapping such as EEG, MRI, SPECT, and PET machines. When EEG is used, brain mapping is referred to as electrical neuroimaging. fMRI uses an MRI machine to perform the mapping.
Unlike structural images such as sMRI that show the structural aspects of the brain (e.g., the integrity of the gray and white matter of the brain), functional brain mapping assesses the neurophysiological properties of the brain such as the amount of power in a specific region or node of a cortical network. Brain mapping also allows us to also assess the strength (or weakness) of the connectivity within or across cortical networks. ‘Functional’ brain mapping refers to the functional deficits in cognition and behavior identified on neuropsychological testing and maps the neurophysiological location (within 3 mm) and anomalies responsible for these deficits and symptoms. These brain mapping findings are then used to plan a treatment strategy in attempt to normalize the neurophysiological abnormalities.
Refers to an assessment while the patient is at ‘rest’ - similar to when the brain is idling and not engaged in a specific task. This mode is referred to as the Default Mode Network. Various brain measures are collected and compared to both normative and clinical databases.
Brain mapping assess changes in the brain via various metrics such as blood oxygen levels and event related potentials (ERPs) while the patient is engaged in various cognitive or emotional tasks. For example, patients are given tasks of auditory and visual processing, basic and complex attention, decision-making and inhibitory control. Active-state mapping can identify the precise location and reason for impairment in one or more of these cognitive states.
Brain mapping is also used to assess neuromarkers for a variety of brain related diseases and disorders.
Email: info@neuroci.com
Tel: (973) 601-0100
Toll-Free: 1-888-NCI-9664
Fax: (973) 440-1656