4. Non-Invasive Mapping Predicts Language Outcomes after Eloquent Tumor Resection

COEX 

Glioma patients undergoing surgery in eloquent regions consistently sustain permanent postoperative language deficits that decrease both quality of life and survival. The origins of these poor outcomes remain unknown. Despite the advent of intraoperative mapping techniques, subjective judgements frequently determine important surgical decisions. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has recently emerged as a promising non-invasive, preoperative language mapping technique. We aim to elucidate the determinants of aphasic surgical deficits by building an individualized predictive model based on TMS, routinely acquired preoperative imaging data, and the resection volume. The results shed light on the structure and function of large-scale language networks in glioma patients and lead to a clinical imaging approach for predicting and avoiding postoperative aphasic decline.