Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Research Development Program

Project Description Narrative:

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a technique for non-invasively measuring small changes in magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain. Because of its unique ability to accurately locate neural activity in space and time, MEG is a powerful tool that can be used to address a wide range of neuroscience-based problems.

Thanks to these benefits, MEG has been adopted at some of the leading medical centers in the world in a variety of research and clinical applications. Locally, Froedtert Hospital's MEG scanner is used to evaluate patients in the Medical College of Wisconsin epilepsy and brain tumor programs. However, only a small number of projects have used the facility for research due to several factors, including the unavailability of funds for pilot projects, lack of familiarity with MEG methodology, and a relatively steep learning curve for MEG data analysis.

Through this award, investigators aim to develop an established, self-sustaining MEG research program to expand the community of researchers who can use this resource for solving technical problems and advancing the health of Wisconsin residents.