Cognitive neuroscience using wearable magnetometer arrays: Non-invasive assessment of language function

• Published in: NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 181; pp. 513 - 520
• Main Authors: Tierney, Tim M., Holmes, Niall, Meyer, Sofie S., Boto, Elena, Roberts, Gillian, Leggett, James, Buck, Sarah, Duque-Muñoz, Leonardo, Litvak, Vladimir, Bestmann, Sven, Baldeweg, Torsten, Bowtell, Richard, Brookes, Matthew J., Barnes, Gareth R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2018; Elsevier Limited; Academic Press
• Subjects: Adult; Brain research; Children; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Neuroscience - instrumentation; Cognitive Neuroscience - methods; Councils; Experiments; Female; Functional Laterality - physiology; Functional Neuroimaging - instrumentation; Functional Neuroimaging - methods; Funding; Humans; Language; Magnetoencephalography; Magnetoencephalography - instrumentation; Magnetoencephalography - methods; Male; Medical research; MEG; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Neurosciences; Optically pumped magnetometers; Parietal Lobe - physiology; Prefrontal Cortex - physiology; Scanners; Sensors; Studies; Synchronization; United States > US; Europe; Language; Optically pumped magnetometers; MEG
• ISSN: 1053-8119; 1095-9572; 1095-9572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.07.035

Recent work has demonstrated that Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) can be utilised to create a wearable Magnetoencephalography (MEG) system that is motion robust. In this study, we use this system to map eloquent cortex using a clinically validated language lateralisation paradigm (covert verb generation: 120 trials, ∼10 min total duration) in healthy adults (n = 3). We show that it is possible to lateralise and localise language function on a case by case basis using this system. Specifically, we show that at a sensor and source level we can reliably detect a lateralising beta band (15–30 Hz) desynchronization in all subjects. This is the first study of human cognition using OPMs and not only highlights this technology's utility as tool for (developmental) cognitive neuroscience but also its potential to contribute to surgical planning via mapping of eloquent cortex, especially in young children. •First cognitive neuroscience experiment using optically pumped magnetometers.•Language lateralisation is feasible with optically pumped magnetometers.•Robust within-subject effects at sensor and source level.