4.7 Article

A Novel Language Paradigm for Intraoperative Language Mapping: Feasibility and Evaluation

Journal

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
Volume 10, Issue 4, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040655

Keywords

intraoperative language mapping; direct cortical stimulation; awake surgery; neuropsychological outcome

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The study explored the use of a novel language paradigm involving both picture naming and verb generation to safely assess relevant language functions intraoperatively. Language tasks could be performed within 4 seconds and functional MRI scans in healthy subjects showed activation of language-associated networks. Brain tumor patients showed DCS-induced language errors intraoperatively with mild neuropsychological impairments postoperatively. The data suggest that the novel language paradigm can help minimize negative neuropsychological outcomes following surgery.
(1) Background-Mapping language using direct cortical stimulation (DCS) during an awake craniotomy is difficult without using more than one language paradigm that particularly follows the demand of DCS by not exceeding the assessment time of 4 s to prevent intraoperative complications. We designed an intraoperative language paradigm by combining classical picture naming and verb generation, which safely engaged highly relevant language functions. (2) Methods-An evaluation study investigated whether a single trial of the language task could be performed in less than 4 s in 30 healthy subjects and whether the suggested language paradigm sufficiently pictured the cortical language network using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 12 healthy subjects. In a feasibility study, 24 brain tumor patients conducted the language task during an awake craniotomy. The patients' neuropsychological outcomes were monitored before and after surgery. (3) Results-The fMRI results in healthy subjects showed activations in a language-associated network around the (left) sylvian fissure. Single language trials could be performed within 4 s. Intraoperatively, all tumor patients showed DCS-induced language errors while conducting the novel language task. Postoperatively, mild neuropsychological impairments appeared compared to the presurgical assessment. (4) Conclusions-These data support the use of a novel language paradigm that safely monitors highly relevant language functions intraoperatively, which can consequently minimize negative postoperative neuropsychological outcomes.

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