Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T20:45:07.160Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Magnetoencephalography and Magnetic Source Imaging: Technology Overview and Applications in Psychiatric Neuroimaging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Abstract

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is an electrophysiologic brain imaging technology that has been applied to the study of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. Like electroencephalography, it provides excellent temporal resolution, and in combination with magnetic resonance imaging, can also provide good spatial resolution. Studies of the auditory system in schizophrenia using MEG have demonstrated an abnormality in functional cerebral asymmetry, in which persons with schizophrenia typically show reduced, or reversed, cerebral asymmetry compared with normal subjects. This abnormality is sex-specific; it is more pronounced in males with schizophrenia. These findings have not been demonstrated using other neuroimaging strategies. Thus, MEG appears to offer a unique and valuable contribution to psychiatric neuroimaging. Current research and clinical applications of MEG are limited, however, by the high cost of instrumentation. The cost of MEG systems should improve as more applications are developed, in schizophrenia as well as other neuropsychiatric conditions, and hospitals begin to invest in the technology.

Type
Feature Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Okada, Y, Lauritzen, M, Nicholson, C. MEG source models and physiology. Physics in Medicine and Biology. 1987;32:4351.Google Scholar
2. Okada, YC, Wu, J, Kyuhou, S. Genesis of MEG signals in a mammalian CNS structure. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1997;103:474485.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Cuffin, BN. Effects of local variations in skull and scalp thickness on EEGs and MEGs. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1993;40:4248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Hamalainen, M, Hari, R, Ilmoniemi, RJ, Knuutila, J, Lounasmaa, OV. Magnetoencephalography—theory, instrumentation, and applications to noninvasive studies of the working human brain. Reviews of Modern Physics. 1993;65:413498.Google Scholar
5. Williamson, SJ, Kaufman, L. Theory of neuroelectric and neuromagnetic fields. In: Grandori, F, Hoke, M, Romani, GL, eds. Auditory Evoked Magnetic Fields and Electric Potentials. New York, NY: Karger Press; 1990:139.Google Scholar
6. Cuffin, BN. Effects of head shape on EEGs and MEGs. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1990;37:4452.Google Scholar
7. Scherg, M, Hari, R, Hamalainen, M. Frequency-specific sources of the auditory N19-P30-P50 response detected by a multiple source analysis of evoked magnetic fields and potentials. In: Hoke, M, Stroink, G, Kotani, M, eds. Advances in Biomagnetism. New York, NY: Plenum Press; 1989:97100.Google Scholar
8. Gallen, CC, Hirschkoff, EC, Buchanan, DS. Magnetoencephalography and magnetic source imaging: capabilities and limitations. Neuroimaging Clin North Am. 1995;5:227249.Google Scholar
9. Chuang, SH, Otsubo, H, Hwang, P, Orrison, WW Jr, Lewine JD. Pediatric magnetic source imaging. Neuroimaging Clin North Am. 1995;5:289303.Google Scholar
10. Gallen, CC, Sobel, DF, Schwartz, B, Copeland, B, Waltz, T, Aung, M. Magnetic source imaging: present and future. Invest Radiol. 1993;28(suppl 3):S153–S157.Google Scholar
11. Lewine, JD, Orrison, WW Jr.Magnetic source imaging: basic principles and applications in neuroradiology. Academic Radiology. 1995;2:436440.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Rezai, AR, Hund, M, Kronberg, E et al. , Introduction of magnetoencephalography to stereotactic techniques. Stereot Func Neurosurg. 1995;65:3741.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13. Reite, M, Teale, P, Zimmerman, J, Davis, K, Whalen, J, Edrich, J. Source origin of a 50-msec latency auditory evoked field component in young schizophrenic men. Biol Psychiatry. 1988;24:495506.Google Scholar
14. Reite, M, Teale, P, Goldstein, L, Whalen, J, Linnville, S. Late auditory sources may differ in the left hemisphere of schizophrenic patients: a preliminary report. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1989;46:565572.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15. Reite, M. Magnetoencephalography in the study of mental illness. Adv Neurol. 1990;54:207222.Google Scholar
16. Hajek, M, Huonker, R, Boehle, C, Volz, HP, Nowak, H, Sauer, H. Abnormalities of auditory evoked magnetic fields and structural changes in the left hemisphere of male schizophrenics—a magnetoencephalographic-magnetic resonance imaging study. Biol Psychiatry. 1997;42:609616.Google Scholar
17. Tiihonen, J, Katila, H, Pekkonen, E et al. , Reversal of cerebral asymmetry in schizophrenia measured with magnetoencephalography. Schizophr Res. 1998;30:209219.Google Scholar
18. Opler, LA, Kay, SR, Lindenmayer, JP, Fiszbein, A. A structured clinical interview for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. North Tonawanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems Inc; 1992.Google Scholar
19. Hajek, M, Boehle, C, Huonker, R et al. , Abnormalities of auditory evoked magnetic fields in the right hemisphere of schizophrenic females. Schizophr Res. 1997;24:329332.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20. Reite, M, Sheeder, J, Teale, P et al. , Magnetic source imaging evidence of sex differences in cerebral lateralization in schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1997;54:433440.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. Sauer, H, Rosburg, T, Kreitschmann-Andermahr, I et al. , Sex specific differences in hemispheric lateralization in schizophrenia? An MEG-MRI study. Nervenarzt. 1998;69:249256.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22. Witelson, SF, Pallie, W. Left hemisphere specialization for language in the newborn: neuroanatomical evidence of asymmetry. Brain. 1973;96:641646.Google Scholar
23. Rojas, DC, Teale, P, Sheeder, J, Simon, J, Reite, M. Sex-specific expression of Heschl's gyrus functional and structural abnormalities in paranoid schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 1997;154:16551662.Google ScholarPubMed
24. Tiihonen, J, Hari, R, Naukkarinen, H, Rimon, R, Jousmaki, V, Kajola, M. Modified activity of the human auditory cortex during auditory hallucinations. Am J Psychiatry. 1992;149:255257.Google Scholar
25. Maier, T, Rosburg, T, Arnold, M et al. , Quantification and rejection of ocular artifacts in auditory evoked fields in schizophrenics. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1998;108:526535.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26. Reite, M, Teale, P, Sheeder, J, Rojas, DC, Schneider, EE. Magnetoencephalographic evidence of abnormal early auditory memory function in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry. 1996;40:299301.Google Scholar
27. Sternberg, S. High speed scanning in human memory. Science. 1966;153:652654.Google Scholar
28. Kaufman, L, Curtis, S, Wang, JZ, Williamson, SJ. Changes in cortical activity when subjects scan memory for tones. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1992;82:266284.Google Scholar
29. Canive, JM, Lewine, JD, Edgar, JC et al. , Magnetoencephalographic assessment of spontaneous brain activity in schizophrenia. Psychopharmacol Bull. 1996;32:741750.Google ScholarPubMed
30. Clementz, BA, Blumenfeld, LD, Cobb, S. The gamma band response may account for poor P50 suppression in schizophrenia. Neuroreport. 1997;8:38893893.Google Scholar
31. Freedman, R, Adler, LE, Waldo, MC, Pachtman, E, Franks, RD. Neurophysiological evidence for a defect in inhibitory pathways in schizophrenia: comparison of medicated and drug-free patients. Biol Psychiatry. 1983;18:537551.Google Scholar
32. Boutros, NN, Zouridakis, G, Overall, J. Replication and extension of P50 findings in schizophrenia. Clin Electroerwephalog. 1991;22:4045.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
33. Judd, LL, Mcadams, LA, Budnick, B, Braff, DL. Sensory gating deficits in schizophrenia: new results. Am J Psychiatry. 1992; 149:488493.Google Scholar