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Basic Logic
Electrical activity of neurons produces currents
spreading through the head.
These currents reach the surface of the scalp, in
the form of voltage changes and magnetic
fields, both of which can be measured noninvasively.
Measured voltage changes at the scalp are
called the electroencephologram (EEG).
Measured magnetic fields at the scalp are
called the magnetoencephologram (MEG).
Excitatory postsynaptic
potential (EPSP)
Postsynaptic
Dendritic
Measurable by EEG/MEG
Magnetic field
perpendicular to primary
current
Measured by MEG
Unaffected by intervening
tissue
Spatial Resolution
Single synapse on dendrite contributes ~20 fA-m (femto
= 10-15 = one quadrillionth)
Empirical observations suggest EEG/MEG signals are
typically ~ 10 nA-m (nano = 10-9 = one millionth)
Therefore, typical EEG/MEG signals reflect summed
activity of ~ 500,000 1,000,000 neurons
~ 1-5 mm2 of cortex forms lower bound of spatial
resolution
In practice, the inverse problem further limits the ability
to spatially pinpoint EEG/MEG signals.
MEG Signals
MEG measures the fluctuations of frequency
(Hz) and amplitude (T) of the brain magnetic
signal
10 fT (10-15) to about several pT (10-12)
Earths magnetic field ~ .5 mT
Requires:
Preposterously sensitive magnetometer (SQUID)
Shielding from external noise
The SQUID
Superconducting
Quantum Interference
Device (SQUID)
MEG
Signal magnitude
Large signal (10 mV), easy to Tiny signal (10 fT), difficult
detect
to detect
Cost
Cheap
Signal purity
Temporal Resolution
~ 1 ms
~ 1 ms
Spatial Localization
~ 1 cm
~ 1 mm
Experimental Flexibility
Dipole Orientation
Expensive
Further Reading
Baillet et al. (2001). Electromagnetic brain
mapping. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine.
Del Gratta et al. (2001). Reports on the Progress
of Physics, 64, 1759-1814.
Hmlinen et al. (1993). Review of Modern
Physics, 65, 413-497.
Murakami & Okada. (2006). Journal of
Physiology, 575.3, 925-936.
Nunez & Silberstein. (2000). Brain Topography,
13, 79-96.