Abstract

Human brain is traditionally studied in controlled experimental conditions using functional imaging or scalp EEG wherein confounds of the natural environment are intentionally eliminated. Given the complexity of environmental factors and social interactions in our real life, it remains unknown if a region of the human brain has similar activity during controlled experimental conditions and during real-life settings. In this presentation, I will present a historical overview of localization of functions in the brain and review some of our most recent studies with intracranial electrocorticography (ECoG) and electrical brain stimulation in patients undergoing neurosurgical evaluations. I will compare our data from controlled experimental and natural conditions and will present videos of patients while their brains are being stimulated.

BIO Josef Parvizi is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University and specializes in the field of epilepsy surgery with interest in functional mapping of the brain using a combination of functional imaging, intracranial EEG , and electrical brain stimulation. Parvizi graduated from the University of Oslo with MD Cum Laude in 1996 and earned his PhD in neurosciences from the University of Iowa in 1999. He completed his medical internship at Mayo Clinic, neurology residency at Harvard, and epilepsy fellowship at UCLA . He has earned numerous teaching and research awards and his research is currently funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) as well as several private foundation grants.