Hybrid ultra‐low‐field MRI and magnetoencephalography system based on a commercial whole‐head neuromagnetometer

• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24413
• Publication Date: 2012-07-19T04:28:49Z
• Authors: Panu T. Vesanen; Jaakko O. Nieminen; Koos C. J. Zevenh...; Juhani Dabek; Lauri T. Parkkonen; Andrey V. Zhdanov; Juho Luomahaara; Juha Hassel; Jari Penttilä; Juha Simola; Antti I. Ahonen; Jyrki P. Mäkelä; Risto J. Ilmoniemi
• Keywords: Magnetoencephalography

Abstract Ultra‐low‐field MRI uses microtesla fields for signal encoding and sensitive superconducting quantum interference devices detection. Similarly, modern magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems use arrays comprising hundreds of device channels to measure the magnetic field generated by neuronal activity. In this article, hybrid MEG‐MRI instrumentation based on a commercial whole‐head MEG is described. The combination ultra‐low‐field in single expected significantly reduce coregistration errors between two modalities, simplify analysis, improve localization accuracy. sensor solutions, coils (including polarizing coil), an optimized pulse sequence, reconstruction method suitable measurements are performance demonstrated presenting ultra‐low‐field‐MR images recordings that compared with data obtained 3T scanner device. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.