Functional MR imaging in the evaluation of the patient with epilepsy. Functional localization.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging is able to define noninvasively the location of eloquent cortex responsible for speech, motor, and visual function, and it holds promise for localizing other important functional tissues in the future. Such localization is extremely important to the epileptologist and surgeon planning surgical resection of an epileptic focus. Early work identifies the actual seizure focus using similar techniques. Magnetic resonance, with functional magnetic resonance added to high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, has the potential of providing, in a cost-effective manner with one noninvasive modality, the functional, anatomic, and chemical parameters pertinent to the management of the seizure patient.