Quantum-Enabled Brain Imaging: A Pathway to Clinical Utility

在这个项目中，我们将实现量子技术在痴呆症诊断和管理治疗方面的潜力。OPM-MEG是一种新型的脑部扫描，它使用量子传感器来测量大脑产生的微小磁场。通过这种方式，OPM-MEG评估流经脑细胞的电流，并提供对大脑活动的评估。OPM-MEG是可穿戴的（它看起来像一个自行车头盔）并且对病人友好，它可以在所有年龄段（婴儿到成年人）使用，并且病人可以在扫描期间移动（甚至去散步！）它比传统系统需要更少的基础设施，并且明显优于目前使用的最先进的扫描仪。大脑健康是21世纪医疗保健面临的巨大挑战。在英国，有90万人患有痴呆症，这种疾病每年给经济造成350亿英镑的损失。随着人口老龄化，这些数字预计还会增加。虽然无法治愈，但最近有了一些有希望的进展：新的血液测试有助于诊断，新的治疗方法减缓了记忆力衰退。然而，仍然没有办法跟踪疾病进展，衡量治疗效果，或评估新的治疗方法。此外，迫切需要诊断不同的疾病亚型，为每个个体选择最佳治疗方法。OPM-MEG在这一领域提供了重要的前景。我们的项目将开发一种用于痴呆症的新型OPM-MEG。为了使我们的技术符合目的，我们将通过开发新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，使其更容易使用，更准确，更快地操作。此外，我们将开发基于云的数据处理，使扫描结果能够更有效地传递。结果将是“下一代”翻译设备，改善患者和操作员的体验。我们将与牛津人类大脑活动中心（OHBA）合作，该中心拥有一家世界领先的痴呆症诊所——牛津大脑健康诊所。将安装OPM-MEG，并为患者提供扫描。与牛津大学的团队合作，我们将证明收集大量痴呆症患者数据的可行性，这将最终导致更个性化的治疗。通过这种方式，OHBA的OPM-MEG将作为临床技术的原型，展示痴呆症的可行性，同时也为未来在其他脑健康应用中的应用奠定基础。

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.