Developing a system for robust and rapid simultaneous EEG-fMRI

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The fast without the spurious: developing a system for robust and rapid simultaneous EEG-fMRI measurements

  • IRAS ID

    167768

  • Contact name

    David Carmichael

  • Contact email

    d.carmichael@ucl.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 9 months, 27 days

  • Research summary

    The purpose of this study is to build a robust system that can perform dynamic multi-modal measurements of brain activity across spatial and temporal scales. To achieve this goal we will integrate new fast fMRI pulse sequences, prospective motion correction (PMC) and develop novel artefact correction methods for simultaneous in-scanner EEG recording to obtain EEG-fMRI data with significantly improved resilience to the effects of motion resulting in unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution.

    Development of these techniques will hopefully increase our understanding of epilepsy and improve patients’ long-term outcome.

    Patients and control subjects will undergo an MRI scan with EEG recorded at the same time at Great Ormond Street Hospital. This involves lying in an MRI scanner for around one hour while a number of scans of the brain are made. The brain scans will then be reconstructed and analysed using voxel based mathematical methods. It is normally possible to sleep or watch a video while they are being scanned. The scanner is noisy so headphones will be worn.

    Subjects will have a mould of their teeth by a dentist that will be used to help perform motion correction. We will use this to make a ‘gum shield’ that will be worn during their scan. It should be comfortable to wear for this length of time and we will check for comfort on the day.

  • REC name

    London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/LO/2232

  • Date of REC Opinion

    30 Jan 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion