Effects of electrical stimulation in vestibular cortex areas in humans.
The case of a patient with focal epilepsy is reported who underwent presurgical evaluation by stereotactic intracranial electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. A subdural semi-grid electrode, consisting of three multi-channel strip electrodes, was implanted over the temporal lobe and temporo-occipital region; one multi-channel depth electrode was applied towards the posterior insular cortex. During electrical stimulation and EEG monitoring eye movements were recorded by 3-D video-oculography. Stimulation of the medial temporal gyrus induced blurring of vision and horizontal nystagmus. Stimulation of the superior temporal gyrus with low intensities also induced blurring of vision and a similar nystagmus, whereas increased stimulus intensity elicited a nystagmus with horizontal, vertical, and torsional components. These findings support the hypothesis that the superior temporal gyrus is one of the regions of a multisensory network that plays a crucial role in the processing of vestibulo-ocular information.
Best
Christoph
C
Department of Neurology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. bestc@uni-mainz.de
Stefan
Hermann
H
Hopfengaertner
Ruediger
R
Dieterich
Marianne
M
D001931:Brain Mapping; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult