Helium Optically Pumped Magnetometers Can Detect Epileptic Abnormalities as Well as SQUIDs as Shown by Intracerebral Recordings.

Abstract

Magnetoencephalography based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) has been shown to improve the diagnosis and surgical treatment decision for presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy. Still, its use remains limited because of several constraints such as cost, fixed helmet size, and the obligation of immobility. A new generation of sensors, optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), could overcome these limitations. In this study, we validate the ability of helium-based OPM (4He-OPM) sensors to record epileptic brain activity thanks to simultaneous recordings with intracerebral EEG [stereotactic EEG (SEEG)]. We recorded simultaneous SQUIDs-SEEG and 4He-OPM-SEEG signals in one patient during two sessions. We show that epileptic activities on intracerebral EEG can be recorded by OPMs with a better signal-to noise ratio than classical SQUIDs. The OPM sensors open new venues for the widespread application of magnetoencephalography in the management of epilepsy and other neurologic diseases and fundamental neuroscience.