Translating large-scale brain imaging technologies into deployable mobile technologies

脑电波技术，如脑电图（EEG）提供了不同的大脑功能的在线记录。虽然这种低成本的便携式技术在记录用于头皮水平的单时间点诊断的脑信号方面非常有用，但是难以监测整个大脑，因为单独使用EEG来计算大脑活动可能是不准确的。这使得很难区分来自大脑不同区域的信号。目前，只能使用昂贵的、访问受限的神经成像设备，如功能性MRI（fMRI）和脑磁图（MEG）结合解剖MRI扫描来完成对大脑特定区域的分析和靶向。尽管EEG和MEG信号起源于相同的神经生理过程，但存在重要的差异。磁场比电场更少地被头骨和头皮扭曲，这导致MEG的更好的空间分辨率，从而允许更准确地定位信号。功能磁共振成像和脑磁图的高成本和缺乏便携性限制了它们在护理点环境中的使用，在护理点环境中，便携性或频繁成像可以有益于结果。 我们的研究将开发软件，利用从MEG，MRI和fMRI的高空间信息结合EEG找到方法来提取EEG信号，具有更好的空间精度。这些新技术将使脑电图能够用于监测整个大脑，这将开辟新的诊断途径。这些快速成像技术的优势在于可以接触到更多的人，同时提供个性化的护理。快速成像技术提供脑功能变化的可靠监测的能力将为指导脑损伤和相关神经疾病的持续治疗和康复提供相当多的见解。例如，便携式全脑成像可以帮助运动员在高风险的脑震荡运动中提供一种方法，在受伤前进行基线测试，并在受伤后恢复到基线期间提供评估。新型监测设备的开发满足了对“在线”脑监测日益增长的需求，并将通过利用尚未服务的潜在细分市场来推进生物医学工程和信号处理技术。

Brain wave technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG) provide an online record of different brain functions. While this low-cost, portable technique has been tremendously useful in recording brain signals for single time point diagnostics at the scalp-level it is difficult to monitor the whole brain because using EEG alone to compute brain activity can be inaccurate. This makes it difficult to distinguish signals from different areas of the brain. At present, analysis and targeting of specific regions of the brain can be accomplished only using expensive, access-limited neuroimaging devices such as functional MRI (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) combined with anatomical MRI scans. Even though, EEG and MEG signals originate from the same neurophysiological processes, there are important differences. Magnetic fields are less distorted than electric fields by the skull and scalp, which results in a better spatial resolution of the MEG, allowing signals to be localized with more accuracy. The high cost and lack of portability of fMRI and MEG limits their use in point-of-care settings where portability or frequent imaging can benefit outcomes. Our research will develop software that uses the high spatial information from MEG, MRI and fMRI combined with EEG to find methods to extract EEG signals that have better spatial accuracy. These new techniques will enable EEG to be used to monitor the whole brain, which will open up new diagnostic avenues. These rapid imaging technologies have the advantage of reaching more people while providing individualized care. The ability for rapid imaging technologies to provide a reliable monitor of brain function change would provide considerable insight to guiding on-going treatment and rehabilitation of brain injury and related neurological conditions. For example, portable whole brain imaging can help athletes in high-risk-to-concussion sports by providing a means to do baseline testing before injury as well as provide assessments during recovery back to baseline after injury. The development of a novel monitoring device fulfills a growing need for “online” brain monitoring and will advance biomedical engineering and signal processing techniques by taking advantage of potential market segments that are not yet serviced.