Visual Mapping With Magnetoencephalography: An Update on the Current State of Clinical Research and Practice With Considerations for Clinical Practice Guidelines

J Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Nov;37(6):585-591. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000000483.

Abstract

Using visual evoked fields (VEFs) to differentiate healthy, normal brain function from dysfunctional cortex has been demonstrated to be both valid and reliable. Currently, VEFs are widely implemented to guide intracranial surgeries for epilepsy and brain tumors. There are several areas of possible future clinical use of VEFs, including early identification of disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and human immunodeficiency virus-associated neurocognitive disorders. These studies have suggested that VEFs could be used to study disease pathophysiology or as a biomarker for early identification of a disorder. The current clinical practice guidelines of the American Clinical Magnetoencephalography Society for VEFs are sufficient. At this time, VEFs should be used clinically to identify visual cortex and potentially tailor surgical resections.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • Biomedical Research / standards*
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Brain Mapping / standards*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography / methods
  • Magnetoencephalography / standards*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards*
  • Visual Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*
  • Visual Fields / physiology