Brain Disorders

Abstract This chapter commences with the rich history of clinical EEG and charts the growing clinical MEG literature. The need for clinical neurophysiological tests with both high specificity and sensitivity is stressed. MEG and EEG have already provided useful clinical input on epileptic foci and mapping of sensory, language, cognitive, and memory function prior to surgery for seizure foci or brain tumors. A simple method is provided for localizing the central sulcus based on anatomical and functional criteria. Studies of hemispheric dominance for speech and language are discussed. A few applications are noted where EEG in particular, with its ease of use at the bedside, could play a greater role in patient assessment (e.g., in stroke, coma, and other critical illness). The chapter ends with speculation about why clinical applications for MEG have taken a long time to become established.