Portable brain scanner that links brain signals to brain structure
Non-cryogenic Fieldable Interleaved Magnetoencephalography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging based on Multichannel Atomic Magnetometers
A new portable device will combine non-cryogenic magnetic sensors and ultra-low-field MRI to map fast brain signals together with anatomy for people with brain disorders like epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Triad National Security, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Alamos, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248011 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will build a compact system that alternates between magnetoencephalography (MEG) and ultra-low-field MRI using atomic magnetometers to record brain activity and anatomy in the same coordinate system. It replaces bulky, cryogenically cooled sensors and heavy shielding with room-temperature alkali-metal vapor sensors to make the technology more practical for clinics. By directly linking precise timing of brain signals to specific brain structures, the device aims to help doctors locate problem areas such as seizure foci and plan surgeries more accurately. Early work focuses on creating a 16-channel sensor module and testing combined imaging performance on human brains.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with focal brain disorders—especially those with epilepsy who need better localization of seizure sources or pre-surgical mapping—are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who require high-field MRI detail, have MRI-incompatible implants, or whose conditions do not involve focal brain electrical activity may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make precise brain mapping more accessible and improve diagnosis and surgical planning for conditions such as epilepsy.
How similar studies have performed: Combining MEG and MRI has been done using cryogenic SQUID sensors in shielded rooms, but using portable atomic magnetometers for interleaved, non-cryogenic imaging is novel and less clinically tested.
Where this research is happening
Los Alamos, UNITED STATES
- Triad National Security, LLC — Los Alamos, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Young Jin — Triad National Security, LLC
- Study coordinator: Kim, Young Jin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.