Rapid mapping of language function and motor function without subject participation

A method for mapping a neural area involved in speech processing comprising:

• applying a plurality of recording electrodes to a surface of a cortex of an anesthetized human subject wherein one or more of the plurality of recording electrodes includes a diameter of an exposed surface of approximately 1 cm and an inter-electrode distance of 1 cm or less;
• presenting a plurality of auditory stimuli to the subject wherein some of the plurality of stimuli are speech sounds and other of the plurality of auditory stimuli are non-speech sounds;
• recording broadband gamma waves during the presenting of the plurality of auditory stimuli;
• and
• converting an analog recording of brain activity to a digital recording of brain activity and identifying one or more brain areas wherein broadband gamma power of the one or more brain areas changes more within between 100-1000 ms after an onset of presentation of speech sounds than it does within between 100-1000 ms after an onset of presentation of non-speech sounds;
• and
• using a hardware processor to control the time of onset of the plurality of auditory stimuli and to measure a change in brain activity of the one or more brain areas after presentation of auditory stimuli.

A method for mapping a neural area involved in speech production comprising:

• applying a plurality of recording electrodes to a surface of a cortex of a human subject;
• presenting a plurality of auditory stimuli to the subject wherein some of the plurality of stimuli are speech sounds and others of the plurality of auditory stimuli are non-speech sounds;
• recording brain activity during the presenting of the plurality of auditory stimuli;
• and
• identifying one or more brain areas wherein brain activity of the one or more brain areas changes more after presentation of speech sounds than it does after presentation of non-speech sounds;
• wherein the human subject does not speak during the presenting and the recording.