Investigating the Use of Optically Pumped Magnetometers in Conjunction with Electrical Impedance Tomography to Image Brain Activity

1)简要描述研究的背景，包括潜在的影响目前电阻抗断层扫描（EIT）有可能使用硬膜下电极成像快速神经活动。该项目旨在使用光泵磁力计（OPMS）来测量当电场施加到头皮时感应的磁场变化，并使用此信息来成像大脑活动。2)目的和目标-具体目标是：对头皮电刺激产生的磁场进行计算建模;在精确的人体头部有限元模型中计算重建扰动图像;使用上述技术进行实验，尝试对盐水填充罐中的物体进行成像;对大鼠进行实验，尝试对大脑活动进行成像;对人类进行实验，尝试对大脑活动进行成像;开发、设计和建造功能性大脑成像设备。3）研究方法的新奇在快速神经EIT中使用OPM将提供一种非侵入性大脑回路成像的方法。目前，该方法需要颅内电极。4）与EPSRC的战略和研究领域保持一致医疗保健技术：通过有效的诊断、患者特异性预测和循证干预来优化护理。如果成功，这将提供一种范式转移的新方法，用于在毫秒内成像大脑回路活动。这将对癫痫和其他神经和精神疾病（如抑郁症）的诊断和治疗产生直接影响。作为UCL的一个分支，Cyqiq Ltd正在支持一名生理学家的CASE学生，他也在这个项目上测试开发的技术。

1) Brief description of the context of the research including potential impactCurrently electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has the potential to image fast neural activity using subdural electrodes. This project aims to use optically pumped magnetometers (OPMS) to measure the change in magnetic field induced when an electric field is applied to the scalp and use this information to image brain activity. 2) Aims and Objectives -The specific objectives are to:Computationally model the magnetic field produced from electric stimulation on the scalp.Computationally reconstruct images of perturbations in accurate FEM models of the human head.Perform experiments to try and image objects in saline filled tanks using the aforementioned technique.Perform experiments on rats to try and image brain activity.Perform experiments on humans to try and image brain activity.Develop, design and build functioning brain imaging apparatus.3) Novelty of Research MethodologyUse of OPMs in fast neural EIT would provide a means to image circuits in the brain non-invasively. At present, the method requires intracranial electrodes.4) Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areasHealthcare technologies : Optimising care through effective diagnosis, patient-specific prediction and evidence-based intervention. If successful, this will offer a paradigm shifting new method for imaging brain circuit activity over millseconds. This will have direct implications in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and other neurological and psychiatric disease such as depression.5) Any companies or collaborators involvedNil direct. A UCL spinout, Cyqiq Ltd is supporting a CASE studentship for a physiologist to work also on this project in testing developed technology.