Noninvasive somatosensory homunculus mapping in humans by using a large-array biomagnetometer

Abstract

To validate the feasibility of precise noninvasive functional mapping in humans, a large-array biomagnetometer was used to map the somatosensory cortical locations corresponding to numerous distinct tactile sites on the fingers, hand, arm, and face in different subjects. Source localizations were calculated by using a single equivalent current dipole (ECD) model. Dipole localizations were transposed upon the corresponding subject's magnetic resonance image (MRI) to resolve the anatomic locus of the individual dipoles within a given subject. Biomagnetic measurements demonstrated that (i) there were distinct separations between the ECD locations representing discrete sites on the face and hand; (ii) the ECD localizations from facial sites clustered in a region inferior to ECD localizations from hand and digit sites; and (iii) there was clear spatial resolution of ECD locations representing closely spaced tactile sites on the hand and face. The ability of magnetoencephalography (MEG) to provide high-resolution spatial maps of the somatosensory system noninvasively in humans should make MEG a useful tool to define the normal or pathological organization of the human somatosensory system and should provide an approach to the rapid detection of neuroplasticity.