Magnetoencephalography with optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG): the next generation of functional neuroimaging

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures human brain function via assessment of the magnetic fields generated by electrical activity in neurons. Despite providing high-quality spatiotemporal maps of electrophysiological activity, current MEG instrumentation is limited by cumbersome field sensing techno...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) Vol. 45; no. 8; pp. 621 - 634
Main Authors: Brookes, Matthew J., Leggett, James, Rea, Molly, Hill, Ryan M., Holmes, Niall, Boto, Elena, Bowtell, Richard
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2022
Subjects:
Adult
biomagnetism
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Brain - physiology
electrophysiology
functional brain imaging
Functional Neuroimaging
Humans
Magnetoencephalography - methods
neurophysiology
OPM-MEG
quantum technology
biomagnetism
functional brain imaging
electrophysiology
neurophysiology
OPM-MEG
quantum technology
ISSN:0166-2236, 1878-108X, 1878-108X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures human brain function via assessment of the magnetic fields generated by electrical activity in neurons. Despite providing high-quality spatiotemporal maps of electrophysiological activity, current MEG instrumentation is limited by cumbersome field sensing technologies, resulting in major barriers to utility. Here, we review a new generation of MEG technology that is beginning to lift many of these barriers. By exploiting quantum sensors, known as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), ‘OPM-MEG’ has the potential to dramatically outperform the current state of the art, promising enhanced data quality (better sensitivity and spatial resolution), adaptability to any head size/shape (from babies to adults), motion robustness (participants can move freely during scanning), and a less complex imaging platform (without reliance on cryogenics). We discuss the current state of this emerging technique and describe its far-reaching implications for neuroscience. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) allows noninvasive electrophysiological imaging of human brain activity. However, current MEG technology has significant limitations.Optically pumped magnetometers (OPM)-MEG is a new type of MEG instrumentation, promising several advantages compared with conventional scanners: higher signal sensitivity, better spatial resolution, more uniform coverage, lifespan compliance, free movement of participants during scanning, and lower system complexity.We describe the principles underlying OPM-MEG and its components, including noncryogenic field sensors and magnetic shielding technologies.We discuss how the OPM-MEG technology is impacting neuroscience, enabling researchers to overcome limitations of conventional human imaging techniques and tackle new types of research questions.
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ISSN:0166-2236
1878-108X
1878-108X
DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2022.05.008