High Resolution Magnetoencephalography using Atomic Magnetrodes

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant We propose to develop a small fully integrated ultra sensitive commercial magnetometer that will merge the multi use and cost effective attributes of present EEG electrodes with the sensitivity of SQUID sensors Our device referred to as a magnetrode will combine reliable autonomous operation with straightforward multi channel integration for a robust MEG system capable of high resolution localization and millisecond scale timing The magnetrode electronics and firmware will provide all the automation services necessary for turn key operation and easy integration into multi channel systems PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Magnetoencephalography MEG is perhaps the most promising of the functional imaging techniques neurodevelopment studies and diagnostics of mental illnesses The goal of this project is to develop an MEG system based on atomic magnetrodes that are equally suited for adult and infant subjects and that costs less by almost an order of magnitude compared to SQUID based systems We expect that successful execution of this project will encourage many more researchers and clinicians to adopt MEG technology and may lead to important advances in our understanding of human brain development