Motor cortex localization using functional MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation

Abstract

Objective: Congenital brain lesions producing focal seizures may be accompanied by reorganization of the areas responsible for motor and sensory functions within the brain due to a phenomenon that has been termed 'neuronal plasticity.' This can be studied using functional MRI (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Using either method, the motor cortex can be localized noninvasively, but to date there have been few studies correlating the level of agreement between the two techniques. Methods: We used fMRI and TMS to localize the motor cortex in a young woman with intractable focal seizures, congenital left arm weakness, and a dysplastic right hemisphere on MRI. Results: There wa..