Abstract
Epileptic surgery is a treatment option for patients with epilepsy who do not respond to multiple antiepileptic drugs. After detailed investigations to determine the epileptic focus and assess the surrounding functional brain regions, a tailored resection of the epileptic focus is performed to facilitate the cessation of seizures. We have combined the state-of-the-art neurophysiological methods for exploring and preserving functional brain networks, including wide-band electrocorticogram (ECoG) analysis, to investigate neural activities during tasks, the high-frequency electrical cortical stimulation essential for performing tasks, and the low-frequency or single-pulse electrical stimulation for effective connectivity determined by recording cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs). In this review, we introduce our recent attempts at elucidating the higher-order motor function and dual-language pathway. Regarding higher-order motor control, we report the findings of our recent studies on the brain areas responsible for reaching the parieto-frontal network for various complex behaviors and the multi-spectrum algorithm for motor mapping. Regarding language function, we review the contemporary concepts of the dual-language pathway and introduce our recent CCEP study that explored the dual-language streams. This study showed that each subdivision of the inferior frontal gyrus has different connectivity to the temporal lobe with an anteroposterior gradient and supports the classical connectivity concept of Dejerine ; the frontal lobe is connected to the temporal lobe through the arcuate fasciculus and a double fan-shaped structure anchored at the limen insulae.
