Brain function mapping

1. A method for identifying a functional area of a brain in an unconscious neurosurgical patient, the functional area associated with a neurological function, the method comprising:

applying a plurality of electrodes to a surface of the brain;

assigning a level of consciousness to the neurosurgical patient;

determining a slow cortical potential based on one or more electrical signals produced by the plurality of electrodes;

computing a covariance pattern based on the slow cortical potential; and

identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function based on the covariance pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a sensory stimulus associated with the neurological function to elicit a physiological response.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with one or more of the following:

speech;

motor function;

vision;

attention; and

hearing.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neurological function is a part of normal human cognitive operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neurological function is a part of abnormal human cognitive operation.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with seizures.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with schizophrenia.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with mood disorders.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with autism.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with neurodegenerative disorders.

11. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with attentional disorders.

12. The method of claim 5 , wherein identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function comprises identifying one or more areas of the brain associated with stroke.

13. A method for identifying a functional area of a brain in an unconscious neurosurgical patient, the functional area associated with a neurological function, the method comprising:

applying a plurality of electrodes to a surface of the brain;

assigning a level of consciousness to the neurosurgical patient;

determining a slow cortical potential based on one or more electrical signals produced by the plurality of electrodes;

computing a covariance pattern based on the slow cortical potential to identify one or more areas associated with the neurological function;

applying a sensory stimulus associated with the neurological function to elicit a physiologic response;

identifying a plurality of activated electrodes within the plurality of electrodes, the activated electrodes demonstrating a physiological response to the stimulus; and

using the activated electrodes as seeds to identify one or more other electrodes that covary with the activated electrodes.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein applying a sensory stimulus associated with the neurological function to elicit a physiologic response comprises one or more of the following:

applying an auditory stimulus;

applying a painful or proprioceptive stimulus;

applying a visual stimulus;

applying an olfactory stimulus;

applying a taste stimulus; and

applying a motor stimulus.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising comparing an anatomic distribution of a plurality of covariance patterns to other anatomic data.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein comparing an anatomic distribution of a plurality of covariance patterns to other anatomic data comprises comparing the anatomic distribution to magnetic resonance imaging data.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein comparing an anatomic distribution of a plurality of covariance patterns to other anatomic data comprises comparing the anatomic distribution to functional magnetic resonance imaging data.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein comparing an anatomic distribution of a plurality of covariance patterns to other anatomic data comprises comparing the anatomic distribution to computed tomography data.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein comparing an anatomic distribution of a plurality of covariance patterns to other anatomic data comprises comparing the anatomic distribution to positron emission tomography data.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein comparing an anatomic distribution of a plurality of covariance patterns to other anatomic data comprises comparing the anatomic distribution to imaging data representing resting state functional connectivity.