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A wearable functional-brain-imaging system with full-head coverage and enhanced spatiotemporal-resolution to study complex neural circuits in human subjects

Award Number: U01EB028656
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/21/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2024

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A wearable functional-brain-imaging system with full-head coverage and enhanced spatiotemporal-resolution to study complex neural circuits in human subjects - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT To develop maps at multiple scales of neuronal circuits in the human brain and study the brain dynamics, there is a need for non-invasive functional brain imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution operating in natural environments. Among non-invasive functional brain imaging methods, magnetoencephalography (MEG) is the only technology that can map cortical activity down to millimeter spatial resolution with millisecond time resolution. Current cryogenic MEG systems employ superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers. The cryogenic operation requires sensor arrays that are rigid and fixed in a helmet, and the helmet size is optimized to fit the largest adult heads. The rigid helmet limits source-to-sensor distances to >3 cm which compromises the maximum achievable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and hence spatial resolution. Furthermore, due to their design, these SQUID-based MEG systems are costly and impractical for experiments in natural environments. Recent simulation studies have shown that on-scalp MEG can maximize SNR and achieve spatial resolution approaching 1 mm. Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are a valid candidate for MEG sensors, as they operate above room temperature, and the sensor layout can be conformal to the scalp. The overall objective of this project is to develop a wearable, conformable, full-head coverage, 108- channel, OPM-based MEG system with unprecedented spatial resolution approaching 1 mm. The first Aim will develop the whole-cortex 108-channel OPM array along with the supporting systems (optical, electronic, software, etc.). The OPM MEG will be installed in a magnetically shielded room so that the array can be worn and move with the subject, enabling more naturalistic study paradigms. The second Aim will leverage the high- frequency spatial features available to the on-scalp OPMs to enhance the spatial resolution of the MEG system. Given unique subjects’ head shapes, adaptive sampling of the magnetic topography (image) is essential to maximize the captured spatial frequency. Hence, information-theoretic analysis will be used to maximize the spatial resolution by optimizing the sensors locations. With the array being reconfigurable, rapid calibration techniques will be developed to determine the position of each OPM for each subject. To eliminate external magnetic noise and compensate for movement-induced distortion, physics-based models will be employed. The final Aim cross validates the performance metrics of the new OPM MEG system with a commercial SQUID system. By measuring retinotopy in the visual cortex, spatial localization between the MEG systems will be compared. By stimulating cerebellar activity, it will be studied if the conformal OPM array can better capture activity in this difficult-to-study region of the brain. Finally, by measuring resting-state MEG, intrinsic network connectivity in the human brain will be captured. This project will provide a whole-head OPM array that improves MEG measurements for people of all head sizes (from premature infants to the largest adults) and enable new experimental paradigms with a wearable array operating in semi-natural settings.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $1,210,320 )
2023	2023	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK BLVD SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	002	5	9/22/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$184,675
2023	2023	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK BLVD SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	5	7/11/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,025,645
2023	2022	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK BLVD SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	4	7/7/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,210,320

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $1,214,674 )
2022	2022	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	4	9/5/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,214,674
2022	2021	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	5/25/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,214,674

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $1,484,696 )
2021	2021	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	8/19/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,484,696
														Subtotal = $1,484,696

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $1,431,897 )
2020	2020	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	2	6/24/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,431,897
2020	2019	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	5/7/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $1,431,897

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $1,291,843 )
2019	2019	NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC	1515 EUBANK SE	ALBUQUERQUE	NM	87123	BERNALILLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	9/19/2019	NEW	$1,291,843
														Subtotal = $1,291,843

Grand Total All Awards = $6,633,430

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A wearable functional-brain-imaging system with full-head coverage and enhanced spatiotemporal-resolution to study complex neural circuits in human subjects

Award Number: U01EB028656

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/21/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2024

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