Characteristics
- Spatial Resolution
- 2-5 mm
- Temporal Resolution
- < 1 ms
- Maturity
- Established
- Invasiveness
- Non-invasive
Uses magnetic field detection, no contact with patient required
- Summary
- MEG
- Tags
- MagneticElectromagnetic
Details
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures the magnetic fields generated by electrical activity in the brain using highly sensitive superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs).
MEG offers excellent temporal resolution (millisecond precision) and good spatial resolution (2-5 mm) because magnetic fields are less distorted by the skull and scalp compared to electrical fields. The technique requires liquid helium cooling to maintain the superconducting sensors at extremely low temperatures.
MEG is particularly effective at detecting activity in the cortical layers of the brain and is widely used in both research applications and clinical settings, especially for pre-surgical mapping in epilepsy patients.
Diagram
Literature Review
| Title | Spatial Res. | Temporal Res. | Subjects | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Magnetoencephalography: From SQUIDs to neuroscience (1993) Comprehensive review of MEG principles and applications | 2-5 mm | < 1 ms | Humans | Comprehensive review of MEG principles and applications |
MEG and EEG data fusion (2007) Comparison of MEG and EEG for source localization | 3-7 mm | < 1 ms | Humans | Comparison of MEG and EEG for source localization |