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 Results from tests of the scanner showed that patients were able to
stretch, nod and even drink tea or play table tennis while their
brain activity was being recorded, millisecond by millisecond, by
the magnetoencephalography (MEG) system.
Researchers who developed the device and published their results in
the journal Nature said they hoped the new scanner would improve
research and treatment for patients who can't use traditional fixed
MEG scanners, such as children with epilepsy, babies, or patients
with disorders like Parkinson's disease.
"This has the potential to revolutionize the brain imaging field,
and transform the scientific and clinical questions that can be
addressed with human brain imaging," said Gareth Barnes, a professor
at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Neuroimaging at University
College London, who co-led the work.
Current MEG scanners are cumbersome and weigh as much as half a
tonne, partly because the sensors they use to measure the brain's
magnetic field need to be kept very cold - at minus 269 degrees
Celsius, Barnes' team explained.
They also run into difficulties when patients are unable to stay
very still - very young children or patients with movement disorders
for example - since even a 5-millimeter movement can mean the images
are unusable.
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In the helmet scanner, the researchers overcame these problems by
using quantum sensors, which are lightweight, work at room
temperature and can be placed directly onto scalp - increasing the
amount of signal they are able to pick up.
Matt Brookes, who worked with Barnes and built the prototype at
Nottingham university, said that as well as overcoming the challenge
of some patients being unable to stay still, the wearable scanner
offers new possibilities in measuring peoples' brain function during
real world tasks and social interactions.
"This has significant potential for impact on our understanding of
not only healthy brain function but also on a range of neurological,
neurodegenerative and mental health conditions."
(Editing by Mark Heinrich)
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