Developing Functional and Structural Criteria for Cortical Resections

The purpose of this study is to study how disease processes like tumors or epilepsy spread in the brain. During surgery small pieces of abnormal (unusual) brain tissue may be removed. We analyze these specimens using more advanced microscopic and electrophysiologic techniques than are usually applied to such tissue specimens. In addition, some tissues can be maintained in laboratory conditions to allow analysis over the longer term. No extra brain tissue is taken to perform these studies. The tissue analysis is performed by the research team and are compared to the routine (normal) electrical recordings that are taken during this type of brain surgery. Currently there are no instructions telling a doctor how much brain tissue should be cut out to prevent the spread of tumors or epilepsy. We are hoping that the results of this study help us to better know how much brain tissue needs to be removed to prevent the spread of tumors or epilepsy.