Moving magnetoencephalography towards real-world applications with a wearable system
Moving magnetoencephalography towards real-world applications with a wearable system
Nature 555, 7698 (2018). doi:10.1038/nature26147
Authors: Elena Boto, Niall Holmes, James Leggett, Gillian Roberts, Vishal Shah, Sofie S. Meyer, Leonardo Duque Muñoz, Karen J. Mullinger, Tim M. Tierney, Sven Bestmann, Gareth R. Barnes, Richard Bowtell & Matthew J. Brookes
Imaging human brain function with techniques such as magnetoencephalography typically requires a subject to perform tasks while their head remains still within a restrictive scanner. This artificial environment makes the technique inaccessible to many people, and limits the experimental questions that can be addressed. For example, it has been difficult to apply neuroimaging to investigation of the neural substrates of cognitive development in babies and children, or to study processes in adults that require unconstrained head movement (such as spatial navigation). Here we describe a magnetoencephalography system that can be worn like a helmet, allowing free and natural movement during scanning. This is possible owing to the integration of quantum sensors, which do not rely on superconducting technology, with a system for nulling background magnetic fields. We demonstrate human electrophysiological measurement at millisecond resolution while subjects make natural movements, including head nodding, stretching, drinking and playing a ball game. Our results compare well to those of the current st...
Source: Nature - Category: Research Authors: Elena Boto Niall Holmes James Leggett Gillian Roberts Vishal Shah Sofie S. Meyer Leonardo Duque Mu ñoz Karen J. Mullinger Tim M. Tierney Sven Bestmann Gareth R. Barnes Richard Bowtell Matthew J. Brookes Tags: Letter Source Type: research
More News: Babies | Brain | Child Development | Children | Environmental Health | Neurology | PET Scan | Research | Study