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Schofield H, Hill RM, Feys O, Holmes N, Osborne J, Doyle C, Bobela D, Corvilian P, Wens V, Rier L, Bowtell R, Ferez M, Mullinger KJ, Coleman S, Rhodes N, Rea M, Tanner Z, Boto E, de Tiège X, Shah V, Brookes MJ. A Novel, Robust, and Portable Platform for Magnetoencephalography using Optically Pumped Magnetometers. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.06.583313. [PMID: 38558964 PMCID: PMC10979878 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.06.583313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures brain function via assessment of magnetic fields generated by neural currents. Conventional MEG uses superconducting sensors, which place significant limitations on performance, practicality, and deployment; however, the field has been revolutionised in recent years by the introduction of optically-pumped-magnetometers (OPMs). OPMs enable measurement of the MEG signal without cryogenics, and consequently the conception of 'OPM-MEG' systems which ostensibly allow increased sensitivity and resolution, lifespan compliance, free subject movement, and lower cost. However, OPM-MEG remains in its infancy with limitations on both sensor and system design. Here, we report a new OPM-MEG design with miniaturised and integrated electronic control, a high level of portability, and improved sensor dynamic range (arguably the biggest limitation of existing instrumentation). We show that this system produces equivalent measures when compared to an established instrument; specifically, when measuring task-induced beta-band, gamma-band and evoked neuro-electrical responses, source localisations from the two systems were highly comparable and temporal correlation was >0.7 at the individual level and >0.9 for groups. Using an electromagnetic phantom, we demonstrate improved dynamic range by running the system in background fields up to 8 nT. We show that the system is effective in gathering data during free movement (including a sitting-to-standing paradigm) and that it is compatible with simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG - the clinical standard). Finally, we demonstrate portability by moving the system between two laboratories. Overall, our new system is shown to be a significant step forward for OPM-MEG technology and offers an attractive platform for next generation functional medical imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Schofield
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ryan M. Hill
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Odile Feys
- Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Laboratoire de neuroanatomie et neuroimagerie translationelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Université libre de Bruxelles, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Department of neurology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Niall Holmes
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
| | - James Osborne
- QuSpin Inc. 331 South 104 Street, Suite 130, Louisville, Colorado, 80027, USA
| | - Cody Doyle
- QuSpin Inc. 331 South 104 Street, Suite 130, Louisville, Colorado, 80027, USA
| | - David Bobela
- QuSpin Inc. 331 South 104 Street, Suite 130, Louisville, Colorado, 80027, USA
| | - Pierre Corvilian
- Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Laboratoire de neuroanatomie et neuroimagerie translationelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vincent Wens
- Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Laboratoire de neuroanatomie et neuroimagerie translationelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Université libre de Bruxelles, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Department of translational neuroimaging, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lukas Rier
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Richard Bowtell
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Maxime Ferez
- Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Laboratoire de neuroanatomie et neuroimagerie translationelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karen J. Mullinger
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Sebastian Coleman
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Natalie Rhodes
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Molly Rea
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Zoe Tanner
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Elena Boto
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Xavier de Tiège
- Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Laboratoire de neuroanatomie et neuroimagerie translationelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Université libre de Bruxelles, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Department of translational neuroimaging, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vishal Shah
- QuSpin Inc. 331 South 104 Street, Suite 130, Louisville, Colorado, 80027, USA
| | - Matthew J. Brookes
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Cerca Magnetics Limited, 2 Castlebridge Office Village, Kirtley Drive, Nottingham, NG7 1LD, Nottingham, UK
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