Moving functional brain imaging into the real world: A wearable, cryogen-free, magnetoencephalography (MEG) system

Functional neuroimaging systems currently comprise cumbersome equipment built around a small bore into which a participant’s head is gently clamped. This artificial environment restricts both the subject groups that can be scanned, and the experimental questions that can be addressed. Here, we aim to develop a new type of magnetoencephalography (MEG) system which will be worn on the subject’s head, allowing them to move freely whilst being scanned. This is possible due to the introduction of new quantum sensors which do not rely on superconducting technology. The new system will offer higher spatial resolution and 5-10 times the sensitivity of current state-of-the-art MEG instrumentation because the sensors can be placed directly on the scalp. This will allow non-invasive electrophysiological measurements to be made with unparalleled spatiotemporal accuracy while participants operate in an unconstrained environment, e.g. navigating in space, or interacting with other people. Importantly, the device opens up the possibility of scanning almost any subject or patient group ranging from children requiring pre-surgical epilepsy evaluation, to patients with movement disorders. The low cost, wear-ability and enhanced sensitivity of the new system will be transformative, offering new opportunities to study ‘real world’ human brain function in health and disease.