Localization of Lesions in the Human Nervous System by Computer Analysis

A new process is described in which the relation between outcomes of clinical neurological tests and neural pathways is utilized to identify locations of probable lesions. The test outcomes of a clinical neurological examination serve as input to a computer whose output is a map indicating locations of probable malfunction (lesion), as well as locations of probable function. This map involves the display of various factors that are defined to describe the spatial distribution of neural elements involved in probable malfunction or probable function. The process is suitable not only for clinical application but also as a tool for teaching neurosciences. An application of this process to a patient with a brainstem lesion is presented.