A unique wearable setup for studying childrens’ brains has been innovated, this imaging helps to detect and map out the brains’ electrical activity. Using this technology we can now pinpoint the developmental milestones and delays that take place from an early age. By creating a visual, we can now picture the electral activity of the brain.
A newly innovated magnetoencephalography (MEG) scanner was used to estimate the electrophysiology of the brains’ of children from the age of 2 onwards. This research was carried out by scientists at the University of Nottingham, School of Physics and Astronomy. Their findings are published in eLife.
Neurons connect, operate and communicate through means of electrical currents, these electrical currents induce a magnetic field that can be detected by an instrument on the head. High quality images were created from a mathematical modelling that was used to convert the fields.
This brain scanner that was used on the head, is based on quatum technology. Sensors on the lightweight helmet known as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) helped to measure the electric fields. This versatile technology can fit on the heads of an adult or a toddler. When sensors are placed more closely on the head, the information that is obtained becomes enhanced. Children who are active can also benefit from this as mobility does not affect the results in the study performed
The subjects of this study were 27 children and 26 adults, for investigating the brain waves; an essential component of brain function. Brain waves or neural oscillations encourage the communication between the different regions of the brain. The research team emphasised on how the brain connections function and how its able to use and produce the short bursts of electrical activity to inhibit networks, thus, effectively controlling responses to the approaching sensory stimuli. The reasearch team leaders were Dr Lukas Rier, and Dr Natalie Rhodes from the University of Nottingham, School of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr Margot Taylor, a neuroscientist who is also an author for the paper that is focused on providing research for autism. She states that their work is dedicated to study of the brain function in young children, those who are autistic and those who are not. This study is the first of its kind to track brain development in young children. This possiblity of engaging the research into a clinical prospective from translation is an excitement in itself; could help us understand how autism develops.
This wearable system has been incorporated into many well-established institutions worldwide, in addition to the SickKids Hospital located in Toronto. The research teams from the two institutions are working hand-in-hand to broaden the neurodevelopmental data gathered on healthy and unusual brain function.
Nivea Vaz
Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara
Scriveners Online© 
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