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

作者：Matthew J. Brookes, James Leggett, Molly Rea, Ryan M. Hill, Niall Holmes, Elena Boto, Richard Bowtell · 发表于：Trends in Neurosciences · 年份：2022 · DOI：10.1016/j.tins.2022.05.008 · 被引用次数：431 · 研究领域：Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research、Functional Brain Connectivity Studies、Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications

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.