Quantum-Enabled Brain Imaging: A Pathway to Clinical Utility

量子脑成像：临床应用的途径

• 批准号: 10107115
• 金额: $ 304.09万
• 依托单位: CERCA MAGNETICS LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Small Business Research Initiative
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2024 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10107115
• 关键词: Quantum; Enabled; Brain; Imaging; Pathway

In this project, we will realise the potential of quantum technology for diagnosing and managing treatment of dementia. OPM-MEG is a new type of brain scan that uses quantum sensors to measure the tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain. In this way, OPM-MEG assesses electrical currents flowing through brain cells, and provides assessment of brain activity. OPM-MEG is wearable (it looks like a bike helmet) and patient friendly, it can be used in all ages (babies to adults), and patients can move (even go for a walk!) during a scan. It requires less infrastructure than conventional systems and significantly outperforms even the most advanced scanners currently in use.Brain health represents an enormous challenge for 21st century healthcare. In the UK, there are \>900,000 people living with dementia, and the disease costs the economy ~£35 billion per year. With an aging population, these figures are predicted to increase. Although there is no cure, there have been recent promising developments: new blood tests aid diagnosis, and new treatments have slowed memory decline. However, there remains no way to track disease progression, measure the effect of treatment, or assess new treatments. Further, there is a pressing need to diagnose different disease sub-types to select the best treatment for each individual. OPM-MEG offers significant promise in this area.Our project will develop a new type of OPM-MEG for dementia. To make our technology fit for purpose, we will overcome existing barriers by developing novel solutions. In particular, we will develop the hardware and software required to simplify the system, making it easier to use, more accurate, and faster to operate. In addition, we will develop cloud-based data processing, enabling results of a scan to be delivered more efficiently. The result will be a 'next-generation' device ready for translation, with both improved patient and operator experience.We will partner with the Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity (OHBA), which hosts a world-leading dementia clinic, the Oxford Brain Health Clinic. OPM-MEG will be installed and patients will be offered a scan. Working with the Oxford team, we will demonstrate feasibility of gathering data in large numbers of dementia patients, which will ultimately lead to more personalised treatments. In this way, the OPM-MEG at OHBA will act as a prototype for a clinical technology, demonstrating feasibility in dementia, whilst also establishing a basis for future use in other brain health applications.

在这个项目中，我们将意识到量子技术在诊断和管理痴呆症治疗方面的潜力。 OPM-MEG是一种使用量子传感器来测量大脑产生的微小磁场的新型脑扫描类型。通过这种方式，OPM-MEG评估了流经脑细胞的电流，并评估脑活动。 OPM-MEG可穿戴（看起来像是自行车头盔）且患者友好，可以在所有年龄段（成人的婴儿）中使用，并且在扫描过程中，患者可以移动（甚至可以散步！）。它所需的基础设施要比传统系统少，即使是目前正在使用的最先进的扫描仪也要大大优于。BrainHealth代表了21世纪的医疗保健的巨大挑战。在英国，有90万人患有痴呆症，这种疾病每年造成350亿英镑的经济损失。随着人口老龄化，预计这些数字会增加。尽管无法治愈，但最近有希望的发展：新的血液测试有助于诊断，新的治疗方法减慢了记忆力下降。但是，仍无法追踪疾病进展，衡量治疗的影响或评估新疗法。此外，迫切需要诊断不同的疾病子类型，以选择每个人的最佳治疗方法。 OPM-MEG在这方面提供了巨大的希望。我们的项目将为痴呆症开发一种新型的OPM-MEG。为了使我们的技术适合目的，我们将通过开发新颖的解决方案来克服现有的障碍。特别是，我们将开发简化系统所需的硬件和软件，使其更易于使用，更准确和更快地操作。此外，我们将开发基于云的数据处理，从而使扫描的结果更有效地交付。结果将是一款准备翻译的“下一代”设备，并具有改善的患者和操作员的经验。我们将与牛津人类脑活动中心（OHBA）合作，该中心拥有牛津脑健康诊所的世界领先的痴呆症诊所。将安装OPM-MEG，并向患者进行扫描。与牛津团队合作，我们将证明可行性可以收集大量痴呆症患者的数据，这最终将导致更多个性化的治疗方法。这样，OHBA的OPM-MEG将充当临床技术的原型，证明痴呆症的可行性，同时还为未来在其他大脑健康应用中使用的基础建立了基础。