Lecture in the C-STAR series, by Prof. Roelien Bastiaanse, PhD (University of Groningen), given on December 3rd, 2020.

Course on language testing and awake brain surgery, referenced in the lecture: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/awake-brain-surgery

Contact for more information on the the VAN-POP test, referenced in the talk: Ann-Kathrin Ohlert: a.ohlerth@rug.nl

Dr Bastiaanse's faculty page at the University of Groningen: https://www.rug.nl/staff/y.r.m.bastiaanse/

Abstract:
Presurgical language mapping: what are we testing?

Low Grade Gliomas are infiltrating brain tumours that often occur in so-called 'eloquent' areas, areas that host motor or cognitive functions such as language. In order to avoid resection of areas important for language, the patients are awake during surgery in order to monitor their language functions. This is distressing for both the patient and the surgery team. Recently, protocols for navigated TMS have been developed for presurgical language mapping. This technique is rather advanced, but the language tests that are used are rather primitive. In this talk I will present a test that is a little more sophisticated and still suitable for pre- and intra-operative use. The results of healthy adults will show that there are still many problems to solve.