Non-normalized individual analysis of statistical parametric mapping for clinical fMRI

Background : Pre-operative evaluation to localize function within the cerebral cortices is essential before brain surgery. Blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been used for this purpose.
Aims : To obtain clearer and more understandable functional images.
Patients and Methods : Ten patients with brain tumors underwent fMRI including hand-gripping and word generation tasks. The statistical parametric mapping (SPM) approach was used for subsequent analysis to localize the motor or language functions. SPM includes image pre-processing, statistical computation, and significance testing. In order to demonstrate a spatial relationship between the lesions and a functioning area in the individual structural MR images, normalization to the Montreal Neurological Institute coordinates was intentionally not performed.
Results : In seven cases out of 10, the patient's motor area was clearly visualized. Language areas were also demonstrated in seven cases.
Conclusions : We conclude that application of SPM (version 8) analysis to non-normalized individual data for the purpose of performing pre-operative fMRI is a useful method for investigation of functional localization.

Keywords
Analysis, clinical, functional magnetic resonance imaging, non-normalized, statistical parametric mapping