Characterization of an Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM) Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Array

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Normal Physiology

In brief

Background: Brain activity produces magnetic fields. These fields can be measured outside the head. Existing technology, called MEG, measures these fields. Researchers are testing a new type of magnetic field sensor called OPM. They hope it can help pinpoint with very high accuracy where brain activity is generated. Objective: To develop and test a new type of sensor for measuring the magnetic fields produced by brain activity. Eligibility: Healthy people ages 18-65 who had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan under protocol 17-M-0181. Design: Participants may be asked to complete sessions on both the traditional MEG instrument and the OPM array. For the MEG, 3 small coils will be placed on the participant s face with tape. Their head will be positioned inside the MEG device. For the OPM, sensors are housed in a 3d printed array. The sensors will be attached to a cap placed on the participant s head. For both scans, participants will be seated in a chair inside a magnetically shielded room. They may complete several tasks. In one task, plastic cells will be placed on their fingers. Puffs of air will be sent to these cells, which will stimulate the sense of touch. Other tasks may include the following stimuli: visual (such as checkerboards), auditory (such as beeps and tones), or language (words and letters). Researchers may also obtain recordings while they stimulate the nerve in the participant s forearm using electrical current in small electrodes. Participation is expected to last for 1 day. Additional optional scans may be offered for up to 1 year....

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04950309

Run by

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

People needed

75

Starts

2022-05-12

Expected to finish

2026-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-12-02

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• Participants excluded from 17-M-0181 will be excluded from this protocol
• Metal in the body which would cause artifacts on MEG recordings

Where it is running

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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