Question

A doctor activates the surface of the brain by touching it with a small electrified wire and the patient tells the doctor what effect the stimulation had. Which of the following is TRUE regarding this procedure?

a. The doctor is using EEG to stimulate brain structures.

b. The doctor is performing an ablation.

c. This procedure is impossible because patients cannot be awake during brain procedures.

d. The doctor is using an electrode to "turn on" brain structures.

Answer 1

The doctor is using an electrode to "turn on" brain structures, which is a technique used for intraoperative brain mapping during brain surgery to preserve critical functions while the patient provides feedback.

Step-by-step explanation:

The procedure described where a doctor activates brain structures by touching them with an electrified wire while the patient is awake and provides feedback is known as intraoperative brain mapping, often used during brain surgery to preserve critical functions. The correct answer to the student's question is d. The doctor is using an electrode to "turn on" brain structures.

EEG, mentioned in option a, involves placing electrodes on the scalp and is used to record overall brain activity, not stimulate it. An ablation, option b, refers to the removal or destruction of brain tissue, which is not the case here. Option c is incorrect because patients can indeed be awake during certain brain procedures, especially when it's critical to monitor their brain function in real time.

Additionally, techniques like deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial magnetic simulation use electromagnetic induction to modulate brain activity; however, these are not the procedures being described in the question. The use of an electrode for brain mapping during surgery allows doctors to identify and preserve vital brain areas that control speech, movement, and senses, which is essential in preventing postoperative deficits.