What is the primary goal of Cortical Stimulation during functional mapping?

The primary goal of cortical stimulation during functional mapping is to identify eloquent cortex. Eloquent cortex refers to regions of the brain that are critical for essential functions such as language, motor control, and sensory perception. During surgical procedures, particularly those involving neurosurgery for tumor removal or epilepsy treatment, clinicians utilize cortical stimulation to map these crucial areas before proceeding with the operation.

Identifying the eloquent cortex helps to ensure that these vital brain functions are preserved, minimizing the risk of postoperative deficits. By selectively stimulating different brain areas, clinicians can observe the effects on motor or sensory responses, allowing them to delineate which regions are involved in specific functions. This careful mapping is key to planning surgical approaches that protect important brain structures.

The other options do not reflect the primary purpose of cortical stimulation. While enhancing cortical regeneration and measuring electrical activity are important aspects of neuroscience, they are not the focus of functional mapping during surgery. Stimulating peripheral nerves is unrelated to cortical mapping, as it pertains specifically to nerves outside of the central nervous system, which does not align with the objectives of identifying eloquent cortex.