Electrocorticographic language mapping with a listening task consisting of alternating speech and music phrases. Issue 2 (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mooij, Anne H.; Huiskamp, Geertjan J.M.; Gosselaar, Peter H.; Ferrier, Cyrille H.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 127:Issue 2(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 1113
• Page End: 1119
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: ECoG electrocorticography -- ESM electrocortical stimulation mapping -- IFG inferior frontal gyrus -- MEG magneto-encephalography -- PCA principal component analysis -- STG superior temporal gyrus; Epilepsy surgery -- Electrocorticography -- Electrocortical stimulation mapping -- Language -- Music; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.08.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: A short listening task consisting of alternating speech and music phrases induces high gamma activity in classical language areas. ECoG language mapping using the discrimination between the speech and music phrases had a sensitivity of 0.32 and a specificity of 0.95 when compared to electrocortical stimulation mapping (ESM). This non-demanding listening task can therefore give a quick and reliable indication where to find critical language areas. Abstract: Objective: Electrocorticographic (ECoG) mapping of high gamma activity induced by language tasks has been proposed as a more patient friendly alternative for electrocortical stimulation mapping (ESM), the gold standard in pre-surgical language mapping of epilepsy patients. However, ECoG mapping often reveals more language areas than considered critical with ESM. We investigated if critical language areas can be identified with a listening task consisting of speech and music phrases. Methods: Nine patients with implanted subdural grid electrodes listened to an audio fragment in which music and speech alternated. We analysed ECoG power in the 65–95 Hz band and obtained task-related activity patterns in electrodes over language areas. We compared the spatial distribution of sites that discriminated between listening to speech and music to ESM results using sensitivity and specificity calculations. Results: Our listening task of alternating speech and music phrases had a low sensitivity (0.32) but a high specificity (0.95). Conclusions: The high specificity indicates that this test does indeed point to areas that are critical to language processing. Significance: Our test cannot replace ESM, but this short and simple task can give a reliable indication where to find critical language areas, better than ECoG mapping using language tasks alone.