A team at the University of Nottingham has developed a wearable brain imaging system that enables researchers to study multiple sclerosis in real-world conditions. The device uses optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to measure magnetic fields generated by neural activity, offering a portable alternative to traditional magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems. This breakthrough allows patients to move freely during scans, capturing brain function in more natural states.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that disrupts communication between the brain and body. Conventional imaging techniques often require patients to remain still in shielded rooms, limiting the ability to observe dynamic brain responses. The Nottingham team’s wearable system overcomes these constraints by using OPM sensors mounted in a helmet-like structure, which can be worn during movement and outside of shielded environments.
In a recent study, researchers used the system to monitor brain activity in MS patients during motor tasks. They observed altered connectivity between motor and sensory regions, providing new evidence of how MS affects functional networks. The data also revealed compensatory mechanisms in the brain, where unaffected regions increase activity to offset damage. These findings could inform personalized treatment strategies and help track disease progression more accurately.
The wearable MEG system is part of a broader effort to democratize brain imaging and make it more accessible for longitudinal studies. Its portability and flexibility open new possibilities for studying neurological conditions in home or community settings. The team is now exploring applications in other disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.
Article from the University of Nottingham: Wearable brain imaging technology sheds new light on multiple sclerosis
Abstract in NeuroImage: Clinical: OPM-MEG in multiple sclerosis: Proof of principle, and the effect of naturalistic posture
