Original Paper

Brain Mapping in Sedated Infants and Young Children with Passive-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
M.M. Souweidane^{a, e}, K.H.S. Kim^{b, f}, R. McDowall^c, M.I. Ruge^b, E. Lis^d, G. Krol^d, J. Hirsch<sup>b, f

a</sup>Division of Neurosurgery,
^bFunctional MRI Laboratory, Departments of
^cAnesthesiology and
^dRadiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Departments of
^eNeurosurgery and
^fNeurology and Neuroscience, Cornell University Medical College, New York, N.Y., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Pediatric Neurosurgery 1999;30:86-92 (DOI: 10.1159/000028768)

  Key Words

• fMRI
• Cortical mapping
• Brain mapping
• Passive stimulation

  Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in pediatric patients presents a unique set of problems due to the need for patient compliance, the frequent need for sedation and an early developmental status. A new method for using fMRI in sedated infants and young children is presented using passive stimuli focused on visual, sensorimotor and language functions. All of these stimuli are presented such that no patient interaction is required. Eight sedated children undergoing diagnostic MRI scans of the brain participated in these passive fMRI procedures. Cortical regions were identified using standard techniques applied to the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal which is the basis for fMRI. The results support the feasibility of brain mapping in sedated children with passive fMRI techniques.

  Author Contacts

Mark M. Souweidane, MD
Division of Neurosurgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, C-707
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021 (USA)
Tel. +1 212 746 2363, Fax +1 212 746 8849, E-Mail mmsouwei@mail.med.cornell.edu

  Article Information

Received: Received: September 21, 1998
Accepted: January 4, 1999
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 27