The Wisdom and Vision From the ACMEGS Inaugural Decade.

Abstract

Concise history of fascinating magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology and catalog of very selected milestone preclinical and clinical MEG studies are provided as the background. The focus is the societal context defining a journey of MEG to and through clinical practice and formation of the American Clinical MEG Society (ACMEGS). We aspired to provide an objective historic perspective and document contributions of many professionals while focusing on the role of ACMEGS in the growth and maturation of clinical MEG field. The ACMEGS was born (2006) out of inevitability to address two vital issues-fair reimbursement and proper clinical acceptance. A beacon of accountable MEG practice and utilization is now an expanding professional organization with the highest level of competence in practice of clinical MEG and clinical credibility. The ACMEGS facilitated a favorable disposition of insurances toward MEG in the United States by combining the national replication of the grassroots efforts and teaming up with the strategic partners-particularly the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), published two Position Statements (2009 and 2017), the world's only set of MEG Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs; 2011) and surveys of clinical MEG practice (2011 and 2020) and use (2020). In addition to the annual ACMEGS Course (2012), we directly engaged MEG practitioners through an Invitational Summit (2019). The Society remains focused on the improvements and expansion of clinical practice, education, clinical training, and constructive engagement of vendors in these issues and pivotal studies toward additional MEG indications. The ACMEGS not only had the critical role in the progress of Clinical MEG in the United States and beyond since 2006 but positioned itself as the field leader in the future.