Cortical reorganization following multiple subpial transection in human brain - a study with positron emission tomography

We investigated the cortical activation pattern in a 30-year-old woman 4 ye ars after multiple subpial transection (MST) of the right fronto-parietal c ortex and six healthy controls using positron emission tomography. Sequenti al finger-to-thumb opposition at the frequency of 1.5 Hertz contralateral t o the operated hemisphere was used as the activation paradigm. We found pre served cortical activation in the transected fronto-parietal cortex and add itional activation of the prefrontal cortex bilaterally and the inferior pa rietal cortex contralaterally when compared with the control group. This ac tivation pattern indicates that MST induces a rather selective lesion leavi ng the cortical structures functionally intact. However, it necessitates th e recruitment of additional motor areas. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.