Nicholas Morris Anatomy and Physiology I Professor Baker 4/15/23 Mapping of Cerebral Cortex The cerebral cortex is a very sophisticated and complex structure that is crucial to many aspects of human activity, such as sensory perception and motor control. The sensory and motor sections of the cerebral cortex have been painstakingly traced out over time, with the pre- and postcentral gyri receiving particular interest (1). The process of creating the mapping will be covered in this essay, along with the main takeaways that came from the study. Electrical stimulation was one of the earliest and most vital methods for mapping the cerebral cortex. Researchers such as Wilder Penfield used electrical stimulation in the early 20th century to stimulate multiple regions of the cortex and track the resulting bodily movements or reactions (2). Penfield was able to make an accurate map of the motor and sensory regions of the cortex by methodically charting out these responses. The sensory and motor regions of the cortex have lately been mapped out using a variety of other ways. For instance, the regions of the cortex that are active during certain sensory or motor tasks have been identified using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The technique involves use of variations in blood flow to pinpoint the parts of the brain that are active while performing different tasks. The mapping of the cortical areas has also been done using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A magnetic field is used to activate multiple cortical regions during TMS, and the subsequent changes in behavior or sensation are then observed (3). Researchers have been able to produce accurate representations of the sensory and motor regions of the brain by carefully tracing out these responses. A significant discovery from this research is that multiple areas of the cortex are in charge of various kinds of sensory or motor processing. For instance, the primary motor cortex in the precentral gyrus is responsible for initiating and regulating voluntary movements. Processing of touch information from the body is carried out by the primary somatosensory cortex, which is located in the postcentral gyrus (4). These cortical regions don't function alone, though. The processing of sensory and motor information is instead complicated and integrated thanks to their connections to different regions of the cortex and subcortical systems. For example, planning and preparing for motions involves the premotor cortex, which is situated prior to the primary motor cortex. In conclusion, the mapping of the sensory and motor areas of the cerebral cortex has been a lengthy and complex process involving the use of a range of techniques, including electrical stimulation, fMRI, and TMS. The complex organization of the cortical regions, each of which is in charge of certain types of sensory or motor processing, has been made known through this research (5). However, it has been proven that these regions do not function alone but rather cooperatively while processing sensory and motor information when combined with other regions of the cortex and subcortical regions. Works Cited: 1. The Anatomy of the Cerebral Cortex. National Library of Medicine. 2 Sep 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK575742/ 2. Stimulation of the human cortex and the experience of pain: Wilder Penfield's observations revisited. Brain. 2011. https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/135/2/631/261811 3. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. M.S George. 2014. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/transcranial-magnetic-stim ulation 4. Motor Cortex Function And Location. Simple Psychology. 9 Feb 2023. https://www.simplypsychology.org/motor-cortex.html 5. Cerebral Cortex. Cleveland Clinic. 23 May 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23073-cerebral-cortex#:~:text=You r%20 cortex%20is%20invalid%20in,functions%20 related%20to%20your%20 senses.
