The use of a squid third order spatial gradiometer to measure magnetic fields of the brain

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 425; p. 743
• Main Authors: Weinberg, H, Brickett, P A, Vrba, J, Fife, A A, Burbank, M B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1984
• Subjects: Alpha Rhythm; Brain - physiology; Contingent Negative Variation; Electroencephalography; Electromagnetic Fields; Evoked Potentials, Visual; Humans; Models, Neurological; Synaptic Transmission; Visual Perception - physiology
• ISSN: 0077-8923
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1984.tb23597.x

It appears to be clear from the results that the third order gradiometer is able to detect small biomagnetic signals from the brain which are related to evoked potentials and spontaneous electrical activity. The instrument operates reasonably well within a noisy environment, however further development is necessary to balance the first gradient. We intend to pursue this direction with software systems. Some of the data presented suggest that components of MEG evoked activity may change independently of EEG. One interpretation which may derive from this is that the same current dipoles are probably not responsible for the entire configuration of evoked fields. This interpretation is consistent with EEG evidence which indicates that analogous components in the evoked potential may vary independently as a function of stimulus parameters and information processing. Perhaps a model of magnetic dipoles due to small current loops would be more compatible with the electrophysiological data.