A tool for functional brain imaging with lifespan compliance

Abstract

The human brain undergoes significant functional and structural changes in the first decades of life, as the foundations for human cognition are laid down. However, non-invasive imaging techniques to investigate brain function throughout neurodevelopment are limited due to growth in head-size with age and substantial head movement in young participants. Experimental designs to probe brain function are also limited by the unnatural environment typical brain imaging systems impose. However, developments in quantum technology allowed fabrication of a new generation of wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology with the potential to revolutionise electrophysiological measures of brain activity. Here we demonstrate a lifespan-compliant MEG system, showing recordings of high fidelity data in toddlers, young children, teenagers and adults. We show how this system can support new types of experimental paradigm involving naturalistic learning. This work reveals a new approach to functional imaging, providing a robust platform for investigation of neurodevelopment in health and disease.

Changes in electrophysiological static and dynamic human brain functional architecture from childhood to late adulthood

“…Furthermore, the use of a MEG system with fixed helmet size renders the acquisition of high quality data and whole head coverage in young participants more challenging due to their reduced head size. Based on those latter considerations, further studies should rely on on-scalp neuromagnetometers such as optically pumped magnetometers, which have been demonstrated to be usable for lifespan neuromagnetic investigations 78 . Finally, we used a restricted, low-density connectome limited to major RSNs (to limit as much as possible the multiple comparison issue) to investigate the age-related changes in static functional integration.…”

Detection of human auditory evoked brain signals with a resilient nonlinear optically pumped magnetometer

“…One of the most exciting features of OPM sensors is that they can be arranged in arbitrary arrays. This means that they can be adapted to individual head shapes, making them more resilient against head movements, and they can be applied to children ( Hill et al., 2019 ). Recent studies have confirmed that the potential gain in the signal-to-noise ratio featured by the OPMs can improve the accuracy of source modelling ( Boto, Bowtell, Krüger, Fromhold, Morris, Meyer, Barnes, Brookes, 2016 , Zetter, Iivanainen, Stenroos, Parkkonen, 2018 ).…”

Progress and Challenges of Neuroscience and Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence

“…The development of quantum science and technology has allowed the development of wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology that is likely to revolutionize electrophysiological measurements of brain activity. A lifespan-compliant system of MEG was demonstrated, which showed a new approach to functional imaging (Hill et al, 2019).…”