A5055075212- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Magnetic and transport properties of perovskites and related materials
- Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics
- Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Quantum optics and atomic interactions
- Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
- Vestibular and auditory disorders
- Neural Networks and Applications
- Advanced NMR Techniques and Applications
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Magnetic Field Sensors Techniques
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Blind Source Separation Techniques
- Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
University of Nottingham
2018-2025
Dantec Dynamics (United Kingdom)
2024-2025
Hudson Institute
2024
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2024
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
2024
Queen's Medical Centre
2024
Peking University
2024
QuSpin (United States)
2024
Hospital for Sick Children
2024
Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital
2022
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a powerful technique for functional neuroimaging, offering non-invasive window on brain electrophysiology. MEG systems have traditionally been based cryogenic sensors which detect the small extracranial magnetic fields generated by synchronised current in neuronal assemblies, however, such fundamental limitations. In recent years, non-cryogenic quantum-enabled sensors, called optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs), combination with novel techniques accurate...
Small, commercially-available Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) can be used to construct a wearable Magnetoencephalography (MEG) system that allows large head movements made during recording. The small dynamic range of these sensors however means movement in the residual static magnetic field found inside typical Magnetically Shielded Rooms (MSRs) saturate sensor outputs, rendering data unusable. This problem ameliorated by using set electromagnetic coils attenuate spatially-varying...
Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are an established alternative to superconducting sensors for magnetoencephalography (MEG), offering significant advantages including flexibility accommodate any head size, uniform coverage, free movement during scanning, better data quality and lower cost. However, OPM sensor technology remains under development; there is regarding design it not yet clear which variant will prove most effective MEG. Most OPM-MEG implementations have either used...
The optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) is a viable means to detect magnetic fields generated by human brain activity. Compared conventional detectors (superconducting quantum interference devices) OPMs are small, lightweight, flexible, and operate without cryogenics. This has led step change in instrumentation for magnetoencephalography (MEG), enabling "wearable" scanner platform, adaptable fit any head size, able acquire data whilst subjects move, offering improved quality. Although many...
Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) offer the potential for a step change in magnetoencephalography (MEG) enabling wearable systems that provide improved data quality, accommodate any subject group, allow capture during movement and potentially reduce cost. However, OPM-MEG is nascent technology and, to realise its potential, it must be shown facilitate key neuroscientific measurements, such as characterisation of brain networks. Networks, connectivities underlie them, have become core...
Background Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is an established method used to detect and localize focal interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). Current MEG systems house hundreds of cryogenic sensors in a rigid, one-size-fits-all helmet, which results several limitations, particularly children. Purpose To determine if on-scalp based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) alleviates the main limitations MEG. Materials Methods In this prospective single-center study conducted tertiary...
Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are an emerging lightweight and compact sensor that can measure magnetic fields generated by the human brain. OPMs enable construction of wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems, which offer advantages over conventional instrumentation. However, when trying to signals at low frequency, higher levels inherent noise, interference movement artefact introduce a significant challenge. Accurate characterisation frequency brain is important for...
Abstract The human brain undergoes significant functional and structural changes in the first decades of life, as foundations for cognition are laid down. However, non-invasive imaging techniques to investigate function throughout neurodevelopment limited due growth head-size with age substantial head movement young participants. Experimental designs probe also by unnatural environment typical systems impose. developments quantum technology allowed fabrication a new generation wearable...
To allow wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings to be made on unconstrained subjects the spatially inhomogeneous remnant magnetic field inside magnetically shielded room (MSR) must nulled. Previously, a large bi-planar coil system which produces uniform fields and gradients was used for this purpose. Its construction presented significant challenge, six distinct coils were wound two 1.6 × m2 planes. Here, we exploit shared symmetries produce simultaneously optimised generate...
Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are highly sensitive, compact magnetic field sensors, which offer a viable alternative to cryogenic sensors (superconducting quantum interference devices – SQUIDs) for magnetoencephalography (MEG). With the promise of wearable system that offers lifespan compliance, enables movement during scanning, and provides higher quality data, OPMs could drive step change in MEG instrumentation. However, this potential can only be realised if background fields...
Traditional magnetoencephalographic (MEG) brain imaging scanners consist of a rigid sensor array surrounding the head; this means that they are maximally sensitive to superficial structures. New technology based on optical pumping we can now consider more flexible and creative placement. Here explored magnetic fields generated by model human hippocampus not only across scalp but also at roof mouth. We found simulated hippocampal sources gave rise dipolar field patterns with one surface...
Here we propose that much of the magnetic interference observed when using optically pumped magnetometers for MEG experiments can be modeled as a spatially homogeneous field. We show this approximation reduces sensor level variance and substantially improves statistical power. This model does not require knowledge underlying neuroanatomy nor positions. It only needs information about orientation. Due to model's low rank there is little risk removing substantial neural signal. However,...
Magnetically shielded rooms (MSRs) use multiple layers of materials such as MuMetal to screen external magnetic fields that would otherwise interfere with high precision field measurements magnetoencephalography (MEG). Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have enabled the development wearable MEG systems which potential provide a motion tolerant functional brain imaging system spatiotemporal resolution. Despite significant promise, OPMs impose stringent shielding requirements, operating...
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures the small magnetic fields generated by current flow in neural networks, providing a noninvasive metric of brain function. MEG is well established as powerful neuroscientific and clinical tool. However, instrumentation hampered cumbersome cryogenic field-sensing technologies. In contrast, using optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG) employs small, lightweight, noncryogenic sensors that provide data with higher sensitivity spatial resolution, natural...
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has been revolutionised by optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). "OPM-MEG" offers higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution, and lower cost than conventional instrumentation based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). Moreover, because OPMs are small, lightweight, portable they offer the possibility of lifespan compliance (with control background field) motion robustness, dramatically expanding range MEG applications. However, OPM-MEG...
The ability to collect high-quality neuroimaging data during ambulatory participant movement would enable a wealth of neuroscientific paradigms. Wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) has the potential allow scan. However, strict zero magnetic field requirement OPMs means that systems must be operated inside magnetically shielded room (MSR) and also require active shielding using electromagnetic coils cancel residual fields changes (due external...
Abstract Magneto- and electroencephalography (MEG/EEG) are important techniques for the diagnosis pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsy. Yet, in current cryogen-based MEG systems sensors offset from scalp, which limits signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) thereby sensitivity to activity deep structures such as hippocampus. This effect is amplified children, whom adult-sized fixed-helmet typically too big. Moreover, ictal recordings with problematic because limited movement tolerance and/or logistical...
The evolution of human cognitive function is reliant on complex social interactions which form the behavioural foundation who we are. These capacities are subject to dramatic change in disease and injury; yet their supporting neural substrates remain poorly understood. Hyperscanning employs functional neuroimaging simultaneously assess brain activity two individuals offers best means understand basis interaction. However, present technologies limited, either by poor performance (low...
Abstract The measurement of electrophysiology is critical importance to our understanding brain function. However, current non-invasive measurements—electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG)—have limited sensitivity, particularly compared invasive recordings. Optically-Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) are a new type magnetic field sensor which ostensibly promise MEG systems with higher sensitivity; however, the noise floor OPMs remains high cryogenic instrumentation this...
Neural oscillations mediate the coordination of activity within and between brain networks, supporting cognition behaviour. How these processes develop throughout childhood is not only an important neuroscientific question but could also shed light on mechanisms underlying neurological psychiatric disorders. However, measuring neurodevelopmental trajectory has been hampered by confounds from instrumentation. In this paper, we investigate suitability a disruptive new imaging platform -...