Ph. D. Project
Title:
Integration of Language studied by Electrical Cortical and Sub-cortical Intermittent Stimulation
Dates:
2021/01/14 - 2024/01/01
Student:
Olivier ARON
Supervisor(s): 
Louis MAILLARD , Fabien RECH
Description:
Context:
Current cognitive models of language focus primarily on information processing within networks of distributed
cortical areas acting as hubs and underlying distinct and specific functions. Basal temporal language area, defined
as an area in the ventral temporal cortex whose high-frequency electrical cortical stimulation evokes transient
anomia, has emerged as a key language cortical area

Objective:
To asses whether functional properties of BTLA are related to specific structural and functional connectivity. Our
working hypothesis is that BTLA functional properties correlates with a higher functional connectivity as
compared to non-eloquent sites of the dominant ventral temporal cortex. This could contribute to a better
understanding of the mechanisms underlying behavioral effects of HF-CES and of the role of the BTLA within the
ventral language pathway. It will allow assessing the diagnostic value of BTLA identification to predict post-
operative language outcome after VTC surgery.

Methods :
We will correlate effective connectivity (studied by cortico-cortical potentials evoked by low-frequency cortical
electrical stimulation) to the behavioral effect of HF-CES in the dominant basal temporal cortex during SEEG. We
will also correlate effective and structural connectivity of BTLA sites to infer the role of BTLA in the ventral
language pathway.


Expected results:

-eloquent sites, whose HF-CES disturb naming would demonstrate a higher effective connectivity than non-
eloquent sites in the basal temporal cortex.
- we will correlate the functional to structural connectivity
- we will also determine how the cortical areas of the ventral language pathway behave during eloquent and non
eloquent HF-CES.
Keywords:
SEEG, language, naming, electrical cortical stimulation, connectivity, epilepsy surgery, outcome
Department(s): 
Biology, Signals and Systems in Cancer and Neuroscience