Non-Surgical Brain Mapping

MEG is a state-of-the-art tool to understand brain function. It’s a completely non-invasive brain-mapping technology that provides the most accurate picture possible of where and when brain activity occurs.

For people who have neurologic conditions like epilepsy and brain lesions, MEG allows our doctors to identify areas of the brain that are malfunctioning, and areas of the brain that support critical functions, like vision, language, sensation and movement.

MEG works by recording the electromagnetic signals produced by the neurons on the brain. To record these faint electromagnetic signals, we use a variety of sensors and coils inside a helmet-like instrument.

These MEG signals are usually combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This combination of MEG and MRI is called magnetic source imaging (MSI), and it allows clinicians and scientists to get precise images and estimates of brain activity.

The fact that MEG technology is completely safe is particularly important during routine clinical evaluations for young children. MEG helps inform treatment plans for kids who have epilepsy and brain-tumors, and is opening new doors to research in neurodevelopmental disorders, stroke, brain trauma, brain plasticity, aging and memory.

During diagnostic care for neurologic patients, MEG is one of the few non-invasive instruments that can help to characterize brain activity with high resolution.

The spatiotemporal resolution of MEG is a key feature that helps identify brain activity (like epileptic discharges) that happens at a very fast pace — within milliseconds, even. This makes MEG especially suited to study patients with seizures.

Also, MEG is especially important when the presence of a condition (like epilepsy or a brain lesion) harms the normal functionality of the brain, and/or when a surgical intervention is being considered.

If your physician recommends a MEG scan, we want you to feel confident going to your appointment. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:

• Once your physician sends over an order for the MEG, a patient coordinator will call to screen and schedule you
• Because the quality of the recordings is affected by metal, please let your patient coordinator and technologist know of any extensive dental work or metal implanted devices prior to your scan (if your clothing has metal on it, scrubs will be provided for you to change into)
• On the day of testing, please do not have caffeine, wear wakeup or hair products
• If you are having the MEG as part of your epilepsy care, an EEG will also be utilized during the scan
• If the test is scheduled with anesthesia, please do not eat or drink for eight hours prior
• The average duration of the MEG scan is two to three hours