Eloquent brain, ethical challenges: Functional brain mapping in neurosurgery

Publication date: Available online 16 May 2015 Source:Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI Author(s): Eran Klein Functional brain mapping is an increasingly relied upon tool in presurigical planning and intraoperative decision-making. Mapping allows personalization of structure-function relationships when surgical or other treatment of pathology puts eloquent functioning like language or vision at risk. As an innovative technology, functional brain mapping holds great promise but also raises important ethical questions. In this article, recent work in neuroethics on functional imaging and functional neurosurgery is explored and applied to functional brain mapping. Specific topics discussed in this article are incidental findings, responsible innovation, and informed consent.

Source: Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI - May 16, 2015 Category: Radiology Source Type: research