Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive technique that measures changes in the magnetic field in and around the head created by brain activity. It can be used as a complementary assessment tool for evaluating patients with suspected neurological problems, and can be combined with other brain studies to generate a complete picture of brain function and structure. MEG can also be useful in guiding brain surgery by providing clear guidelines for removing brain lesions without damaging nearby tissue.
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a technique for measuring changes in the magnetic field in and around the head created by brain activity. It can be used as a complementary assessment tool, along with other studies of brain structure and activity in the process of evaluating a patient with a suspected neurological problem. This technique is non-invasive, and patients don’t have to go through any special procedures to prepare for it.
In an MEG study, the patient sits upright in a chair and a helmet is placed over the head. The helmet contains a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) that can detect very small changes in magnetic fields. The room where the patient goes for the test is shielded to ensure that the earth’s magnetic field does not interfere with the very sensitive test. A series of snapshots of brain activity are taken.
A doctor can combine magnetoencephalography with structural imaging of the brain to generate an imaging study of the magnetic source, showing brain activity and the area of the brain from which it originates. This can be very useful when doctors are trying to isolate a brain injury or injury, as can happen if there are concerns about brain function after an accident or in an epilepsy patient who has frequent seizures. This type of study can be a useful tool for generating more usable data when there appear to be conflicts between other brain studies such as MRI and electroencephalography.
This testing method works best when a doctor combines it with other tests to build a complete picture of what’s happening inside a patient’s brain. Magnetoencephalography can be conducted on the same day as other brain studies to gather as much information as possible about the function and structure of the patient’s brain. Multiple tests can be used to follow changes or to track the progress of treatments such as medications.
When a doctor recommends an MEG study, patients can ask why the study is being recommended, what other tests they should consider, and how the test will help develop a diagnosis and treatment plan. One potential use of magnetoencephalography is to generate a very focused and accurate picture of damage in the brain so a surgeon knows exactly where to go. Sometimes, damaged areas of the brain appear superficially normal when a surgeon is working, and having clear guidelines will help the surgeon remove a brain lesion without damaging nearby tissue or leaving parts of the lesion behind.
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