Trinity College Dublin Introduces Cutting-Edge Brain Imaging Technology
Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) has become the first institution in Ireland to house an Optically Pumped Magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) system.The advanced neuroimaging device is located within a magnetically shielded room at TCIN, designed to eliminate interference from external magnetic fields.
Unlike customary brain scanning methods like MRIs, which require patients to remain fully still, the OPM-MEG utilizes a lightweight, adaptable helmet. This allows participants to sit comfortably or even move during scans, opening up new possibilities for studying brain activity during natural behaviors and facilitating scans of children and individuals with neurological conditions.
The MEG technology itself measures brain activity by detecting the magnetic fields generated by electrical currents within the brain, constructing dynamic 3D images of brain function over time. While conventional MEG scanners are known for being large, expensive to maintain due to cryogenic cooling requirements, and restrictive to patient movement, the new OPM-MEG system overcomes these limitations.
The helmet-like design adapts to various head sizes and enables free movement. Furthermore, it boasts increased sensitivity and spatial precision while eliminating the need for cooling, resulting in lower operational costs.
Professor Redmond O’Connell, director of the new MEG facility, hailed the OPM-MEG as “the most critically important breakthrough in human brain imaging in the last two decades.” He anticipates the system will provide researchers with unprecedented insights into the timing and location of brain activity, deepening understanding of both normal brain function and the origins of brain disorders.
Currently, the OPM-MEG scanner is dedicated to research purposes. Though, a collaborative team from Trinity, Beaumont Hospital, and the National Children’s Hospital is working towards HSE recognition for its use as a clinical diagnostic and presurgical mapping tool, with the aim of improving patient treatment outcomes.
Professor Sinéad Ryan, TCD’s dean of research, highlighted the milestone as a significant achievement for TCIN, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. She emphasized TCIN’s continued leadership in brain imaging research and its commitment to pioneering new technologies, furthering the university’s research goals and contributing to advancements in cognitive neuroscience and human health.
