A functional database for guidance of surgical and therapeutic procedures in the deep brain

Current techniques for stereotactic neurosurgery of the deep brain require identification of targets by preoperative image localization. These structures are also surrounded by critical brain areas which must not be damaged by the surgical procedure. We have designed and implemented a searchable and expandable database of functional organization for the sensorimotor thalamus, internal capsule, and internal pallidum from a population of over 70 patients. Data were obtained through microcellular recording, microstimulation, and macrostimulation mapping performed during stereotaetic thalamotomies and pallidotomies. These data may be in turn registered to a patient 3D MRI within our image guided visualization platform. This functional database, provides a visual representation of functional organization in the deep brain, facilitating physiological exploration and preoperative planning