Objective: To image the motor cortex with functional MRI (fMRI), and locate the activated area with the proportional grid of Talairach.
Design: Descriptive.
Setting: St. Radboud Academic Hospital Nijmegen.
Methods: In ten volunteers functional images of the motor cortex were made during execution of a motor task (finger movements). From the functional images the positions of activated areas were calculated using the 3D Talairach grid system.
Results: fMRI of the motor cortex was possible using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Task activation of the motor cortex gave a signal increase in Brodmann's area 4, the precentral gyrus.
Conclusion: Imaging of the active motor cortex with fMRI is feasible. The use of the 3D Talairach proportional grid system for the calculation of the position of an activated area in the motor cortex is possible with adequate accuracy.