Event-related fMRI of the somatosensory system using electrical finger stimulation.
Cortical signal intensity changes due to brief (1 s) innocuous electrical stimuli applied to the second and fifth finger of the right hand were measured by means of fMRI at 1.5 T. The activation pattern in this event-related fMRI approach closely resembled that obtained in recent block-design studies. Activations were found in contralateral primary (SI) and bilaterally in secondary (SII) somato-sensory cortex as well as in posterior parietal cortex, insula, and supplementary motor area (SMA). In SI, the somatotopic organization of the hand area is demonstrated, more clearly to be seen in area 3b than in area 1 and 2. In conclusion, the feasibility to employ event-related somatosensory stimulation paradigms in fMRI studies is demonstrated.
Deuchert
Michael
M
Department of Neurology, Charité, Humboldt-University, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Ruben
Jan
J
Schwiemann
Jessica
J
Meyer
Robert
R
Thees
Sebastian
S
Krause
Thomas
T
Blankenburg
Felix
F
Villringer
Kersten
K
Kurth
Ralf
R
Curio
Gabriel
G
Villringer
Arno
A
D000328:Adult; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*