Department of Mathematics
Mercer University, Macon, GA
September 28, 2000

Using Mathematics to Map the Human Brain

Monica K. Hurdal, Department of Mathematics, Florida State University

It is known that most of the processing of the brain occurs on the surface of the human brain, call the grey matter. The surface is highly convoluted with folds varying in shape and location from person to person. This individual variability creates difficulties when trying to compare functional activity from PET or functional MRI scans between individuals. My research is trying to address this problem by using mathematics to create flat maps of the cortical surface to "open up" and effectively "unfold" the cortical surface. I will present my quasi-conformal (angle-preserving) mapping technique and show some of the flat maps that I have produced.


Updated September 2000.
Copyright 2000 by Monica K. Hurdal. All rights reserved.