O-MEG-A-MIND
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The “O-MEG-A-MIND” study OPM- MEG in non-immune And iMmune-medIated Neurological Disease
IRAS ID
365138
Contact name
Sukhvir Wright
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Duration of Study in the UK
8 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Over the past 20 years, doctors have gotten much better at spotting and treating conditions caused by the immune system attacking the brain. These include illnesses like autoimmune encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and multiple sclerosis. But even with better treatments, many patients—especially children—still struggle with long-term problems. Standard brain scans (e.g. MRI) and tests often miss important issues like memory problems, emotional difficulties, trouble sleeping, and challenges with social behaviour. Our previous research using a brain imaging technique called Magnetoencephalography (MEG) showed changes in brain networks that seem to be linked to problems with memory in children and young people with immune-mediated brain illnesses. This study will use a new, advanced version of MEG that works even with very young children (as young as 2 years old) called OPM-MEG or optically-pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography. Our participants will be children and young people who have been diagnosed with a neurological disease or brain illness that may or may not involve the immune system. In those recently diagnosed (within 9 months) we will invite them to have an OPM-MEG as well as a research MEG and MRI brain scan. They will also have tests to measure thinking and memory i.e. cognitive ability. We will ask these participants to some back 2 years and 5 years after their visit first for repeat OPM-MEG, MRI and MRI scans. For participants diagnosed over 18 months previously, we will invite them once to have the OPM-MEG, MEG, MRI and cognitive ability tests. The goal is to better understand how immune-mediated brain conditions affect children, compare them with other types of brain illness, and eventually use this technology to help predict outcomes and discover new biomarkers to more accurately track brain health.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0002
Date of REC Opinion
5 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion