Brain-mapping using robotized TMS

We present first results of brain-mapping using robotic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. This non-invasive procedure enables the reliable detection of the representation of indiviual muscles or muscle groups in the motor-cortex. The accuracy is only exceeded by direct electrical stimulation of the brain during surgery. Brain-mapping using robotic TMS can also be used to detect displacements of brain regions caused by tumors. The advantage of TMS is that it is non-invasive. In this study, we compare results from statistical mapping with robotic TMS to results achived from direct stimulation done during tumor surgery. To our knowledge this is the first study of this type. We mapped the representation of three muscle groups (forearm, pinky and thumb) in tumor patients with the robot-aided TMS protocoll and with direct stimulation. The resulting maps agree within 5mm.