Event Abstract Back to Event Combined MEG and ultra-low field MRI Petr Volegov1*, Vadim Zotev1, Andrei Matlashov1, Henrik Sandin1, Karlene Maskaly1, Igor Savukov1, Algis Urbaitis1, John Gomez1, Shaun Newman1, Mark Peters1, Robert Kraus1, John George1 and Michelle Espy1 1 Los Alamos National Laboratory, United States Conventional technologies for MEG and MRI measurements are incompatible, and multi-modality data are typically collected in separate experiments. We have developed instrumentation and methodology for MR imaging at ultra-low field strengths that allow simultaneous or interleaved MEG measurements with the same instrument. We have demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring images of human brain anatomy, and employed the same instrument to collect sensory evoked MEG signals. This instrument eliminates major sources of localization errors associated with multi-modality integration techniques. ULF-MRI supports image acquisition strategies analogous to conventional high-field MRI including multi-echo sequences for faster image acquisition. ULF-MRI has technical advantages for parallel imaging with dense sensor arrays, and enables powerful new approaches for the manipulation of MR contrast. ULF-MRI may have important advantages for the direct detection and characterization of time-varying neuronal currents. The BOLD contrast mechanism exploited for widely used fMRI techniques is probably not applicable for ULF measurements, however we are exploring approaches that hold promise for functional imaging based on alternative forms of hemodynamic contrast. We also are developing technology for stronger pulsed polarization fields and more extensive sensor arrays to improve the quality and speed of anatomical imaging while enhancing capabilities of MEG. Our work to date clearly establishes the feasibility of ULF-MRI and MEG measurements with the same instrument and has identified development paths that will lead to more powerful and robust technology. These approaches will combine the most useful capabilities of existing MEG and MRI technology in a compact and cost effective package suitable for a range of basic and clinical applications, and may enable new approaches that will transcend the limitations of existing methods for functional neuroimaging. Conference: Biomag 2010 - 17th International Conference on Biomagnetism , Dubrovnik, Croatia, 28 Mar - 1 Apr, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Instrumentation and Multi-modal Integrations: MEG, Low-field MRI,EEG, fMRI,TMS,NIRS Citation: Volegov P, Zotev V, Matlashov A, Sandin H, Maskaly K, Savukov I, Urbaitis A, Gomez J, Newman S, Peters M, Kraus R, George J and Espy M (2010). Combined MEG and ultra-low field MRI. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: Biomag 2010 - 17th International Conference on Biomagnetism . doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.06.00425 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 09 Apr 2010; Published Online: 09 Apr 2010. * Correspondence: Petr Volegov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, United States, volegov@lanl.gov Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Petr Volegov Vadim Zotev Andrei Matlashov Henrik Sandin Karlene Maskaly Igor Savukov Algis Urbaitis John Gomez Shaun Newman Mark Peters Robert Kraus John George Michelle Espy Google Petr Volegov Vadim Zotev Andrei Matlashov Henrik Sandin Karlene Maskaly Igor Savukov Algis Urbaitis John Gomez Shaun Newman Mark Peters Robert Kraus John George Michelle Espy Google Scholar Petr Volegov Vadim Zotev Andrei Matlashov Henrik Sandin Karlene Maskaly Igor Savukov Algis Urbaitis John Gomez Shaun Newman Mark Peters Robert Kraus John George Michelle Espy PubMed Petr Volegov Vadim Zotev Andrei Matlashov Henrik Sandin Karlene Maskaly Igor Savukov Algis Urbaitis John Gomez Shaun Newman Mark Peters Robert Kraus John George Michelle Espy Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.