ELECTROMAGNETIC NEUROIMAGING OF THE AGING BRAIN

我们建议开发一种先进的密集传感器阵列脑电(EEG)系统，该系统针对与全头脑磁图(MEG)系统的集成进行了优化。电磁测量对于衰老的神经心理学和神经生理学研究都有足够的时间分辨率。血液动力学神经成像方法(PET、fMRI)依赖于血流变化太慢，无法跟踪动态的认知过程。即使对抽象认知、记忆力或灵活性的测量没有显示出正常衰老的影响，老年人也总是被发现比年轻人慢。将神经解剖学缺陷与认知功能联系起来，需要具有良好的时间分辨率的神经成像技术。我们介绍了一种256通道传感器网络，它使用碳纤维电极实现低磁噪声，以及一个专为高头皮阻抗传感器和低磁干扰而设计的生理放大器。最重要的是，我们提出了一种完全的电磁信号分析策略，在该策略中，电场和磁场的不同优势结合在一个交钥匙软件包中。虽然最初的电磁神经成像系统最初将出售给研究实验室，但在了解老年人大脑心理操作时间过程的变化方面取得的进展将具有重要的临床应用。拟议的商业应用：通过以毫秒级的精度跟踪神经生理学减慢，密集阵列脑磁图可以优化我们对老年人神经疾病的理解，在治疗仍然有效的情况下对痴呆疾病进行准确评估。

We propose to develop an advanced dense sensor array electroencephalographic (EEG) system that is optimized for integration with whole-head magnetoencephalographic (MEG) systems. Electromagnetic measures have adequate temporal resolution for both neuropsychological and neurophysiological studies of aging. Hemodynamic neuroimaging methods (PET, fMRI) rely on blood flow changes that are too slow to track dynamic cognitive processes. Even when measures of abstract cognition, memory, or flexibility show no effects of normal aging, the older person is consistently found to be slower than the young person. Relating neuroanatomical deficits to cognitive function requires a neuroimaging technology to with good temporal resolution. We introduce a 256-channel sensor net that achieves low magnetic noise with carbon-fiber electrodes and a physiological amplifier that is engineered for high scalp impedance sensors and low magnetic interference. Most importantly, we propose a fully electromagnetic signal analytic strategy, in which the differing advantages of electrical and magnetic fields are combined within a single turnkey software package. Although the initial electromagnetic neuroimaging system would be sold initially to research laboratories, advances in understanding the changes in the time course of mental operations in the aged brain will have significant clinical applications. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: By tracking neurophysiological slowing with millisecond precision, dense array MEG/EEG could optimize our understanding of neurological disorders of the aged, leading to accurate assessment of dementing illness when treatment is still useful.