Detection and analysis of MEG signals in occipital region with double-channel OPM sensors

Xin Zhang; Chun-Qiao Chen; Ming-Kang Zhang; Chang-Yu Ma; Yin Zhang; Hui Wang; Qing-Qian Guo; Tao Hu; Zhao-Bang Liu; Yan Chang; Ke-Jia Hu; Xiao-Dong Yang

doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108948

Detection and analysis of MEG signals in occipital region with double-channel OPM sensors

J Neurosci Methods. 2020 Dec 1:346:108948. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108948. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Authors

Xin Zhang¹, Chun-Qiao Chen², Ming-Kang Zhang², Chang-Yu Ma³, Yin Zhang⁴, Hui Wang⁴, Qing-Qian Guo¹, Tao Hu⁴, Zhao-Bang Liu⁴, Yan Chang⁴, Ke-Jia Hu⁵, Xiao-Dong Yang⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China; Jihua Laboratory, Foshan, 528000, China.
² Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China; Jihua Laboratory, Foshan, 528000, China; Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China.
³ Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China.
⁴ Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China; Jihua Laboratory, Foshan, 528000, China.
⁵ Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Center for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China. Electronic address: dockejiahu@gmail.com.
⁶ Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215163, China; Jihua Laboratory, Foshan, 528000, China. Electronic address: xiaodong.yang@sibet.ac.cn.

PMID: 32950554
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108948

Abstract

Background: Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has high temporal and spatial resolution and good spatial accuracy in determining the locations of source activity among most non-invasive imaging. The recently developed technology of optically-pumped magnetometer (OPM) has sensitivity comparable to that of the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) used in commercial MEG system.

New method: Double-channel OPM-MEG system detects human photic blocking of alpha rhythm at the occipital region of skull in the magnetically shielded environment via a wearable whole-cortex 3D-printed helmet.

Results: The alpha rhythm can be detected by the OPM-MEG system, the MEG signals are undoubtedly caused by photic blocking and similar with the results measured by SQUID magnetometer.

Comparison with existing methods: Due to the dependency of current commercial whole-cortex SQUID-MEG system on the liquid helium, the separation from the liquid helium space to the human head is usually at least a few centimeters. The wearable OPM-MEG system, however, can significantly improve the detection efficiency since its sensors can be mounted close to scalp, normally less than 1 cm.

Conclusions: OPM-MEG system successfully detects alpha rhythm blocked by light stimulation and works well in the home-made magnetically shielded environment. OPM-MEG system shows a substitute for the traditional MEG system.

Keywords: Alpha rhythm; Magnetoencephalography (MEG); Optically-pumped magnetometer (OPM); Photic blocking; Time-frequency analysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alpha Rhythm
Cerebral Cortex
Humans
Magnetoencephalography*
Occipital Lobe*
Scalp