magnetoencephalography
Pronunciation: mag-nee-toh-en-sef-uh-LOG-ruh-fee
Also written as: MEG — magnetoencephalography
Non-invasive neuroimaging technique measuring magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain, offering high temporal and spatial resolution.
Full Definition
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a sophisticated neuroimaging technique that measures the magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in neurons. Unlike EEG, which measures electrical potentials at the scalp, MEG directly detects the magnetic fields generated by neural currents, providing superior spatial resolution and the ability to localize brain activity in three dimensions. The technique offers excellent temporal resolution (millisecond precision) combined with good spatial resolution, making it particularly valuable for studying normal brain function and localizing epileptic foci. MEG is especially useful in presurgical planning for epilepsy and brain tumor surgery, as it can map eloquent brain areas and identify seizure sources. The procedure requires a magnetically shielded room and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to detect the extremely weak magnetic fields.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as MEG; distinguish from other neuroimaging modalities by emphasizing magnetic field detection.
In Context
- "Magnetoencephalography localized the seizure focus to the right temporal lobe prior to surgical resection." — Pre-surgical epilepsy evaluation
- "The study utilized magnetoencephalography to map language areas in patients with brain tumors." — Research protocol