V. Leo Towle PhD has focused his research to utilize functional MRI, direct electrophysiologic cortical recordings obtained during surgery, and noninvasive human cerebral evoked potentials as tools for understanding the functional organization of the human neocortex. A primary focus is to relate electrophysiologic findings to specific brain areas which can be imaged with MRI. The non-invasive electrophysiologic findings are compared to histology, intraoperative cortical mapping studies and parallel noninvasive functional MRI findings. Currently investigations involve the accuracy of dipole models, ECOG patterns, and the development and lateralization of language in epileptic and normal subjects using function MRI. This research has both practical value for neurosurgical procedures and theoretical implications for theories of brain organization and development. Dr. Towle has also studied cognitive event-related potentials as they relate to sensory and cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke and renal disease patients participating in drug trials.