Magnetic source imaging

Comparison of the spatial resolution of source imaging techniques in high-density EEG and MEG

BACKGROUND

The present study aims at evaluating and comparing electrical and magnetic distributed source imaging methods applied to high-density Electroencephalography (hdEEG) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. We used resolution matrices to characterize spatial resolution properties of Minimum Norm Estimate (MNE), dynamic Statistical Parametric Mapping (dSPM), standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and coherent Maximum Entropy on the Mean (cMEM, an entropy-based technique). The resolution matrix provides information of the Point Spread Functions (PSF) and of the Crosstalk functions (CT), this latter being also called source leakage, as it reflects the influence of a source on its neighbors.

METHODS

The spatial resolution of the inverse operators was first evaluated theoretically and then with real data acquired using electrical median nerve stimulation on five healthy participants. We evaluated the Dipole Localization Error (DLE) and the Spatial Dispersion (SD) of each PSF and CT map.

RESULTS

cMEM showed the smallest spatial spread (SD) for both PSF and CT maps, whereas localization errors (DLE) were similar for all methods. Whereas cMEM SD values were lower in MEG compared to hdEEG, the other methods slightly favored hdEEG over MEG. In real data, cMEM provided similar localization error and significantly less spatial spread than other methods for both MEG and hdEEG. Whereas both MEG and hdEEG provided very accurate localizations, all the source imaging methods actually performed better in MEG compared to hdEEG according to all evaluation metrics, probably due to the higher signal-to-noise ratio of the data in MEG.

CONCLUSION

Our overall results show that all investigated methods provide similar localization errors, suggesting very accurate localization for both MEG and hdEEG when similar number of sensors are considered for both modalities. Intrinsic properties of source imaging methods as well as their behavior for well-controlled tasks, suggest an overall better performance of cMEM in regards to spatial resolution and spatial leakage for both hdEEG and MEG. This indicates that cMEM would be a good candidate for studying source localization of focal and extended generators as well as functional connectivity studies.

MEG-EEG Information Fusion and Electromagnetic Source Imaging: From Theory to Clinical Application in Epilepsy

The purpose of this study is to develop and quantitatively assess whether fusion of EEG and MEG (MEEG) data within the maximum entropy on the mean (MEM) framework increases the spatial accuracy of source localization, by yielding better recovery of the spatial extent and propagation pathway of the underlying generators of inter-ictal epileptic discharges (IEDs). The key element in this study is the integration of the complementary information from EEG and MEG data within the MEM framework. MEEG was compared with EEG and MEG when localizing single transient IEDs. The fusion approach was evaluated using realistic simulation models involving one or two spatially extended sources mimicking propagation patterns of IEDs. We also assessed the impact of the number of EEG electrodes required for an efficient EEG–MEG fusion. MEM was compared with minimum norm estimate, dynamic statistical parametric mapping, and standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography. The fusion approach was finally assessed on real epileptic data recorded from two patients showing IEDs simultaneously in EEG and MEG. Overall the localization of MEEG data using MEM provided better recovery of the source spatial extent, more sensitivity to the source depth and more accurate detection of the onset and propagation of IEDs than EEG or MEG alone. MEM was more accurate than the other methods. MEEG proved more robust than EEG and MEG for single IED localization in low signal-to-noise ratio conditions. We also showed that only few EEG electrodes are required to bring additional relevant information to MEG during MEM fusion.

Combination of PET and Magnetoencephalography in the Presurgical Assessment of MRI-Negative Epilepsy

Despite major advances in neuroimaging, no lesion is visualized on MRI in up to a quarter of patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy presenting for presurgical evaluation. These patients demonstrate poorer surgical outcomes than those with lesion seen on MRI. Accurate localization of the seizure onset zone (SOZ) is more difficult in MRI-negative patients and often requires invasive EEG recordings. Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) have been proposed as clinically relevant tools to localize the SOZ prior to intracranial EEG recordings. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal gold standard that should be used for assessing the performance of these presurgical investigations. Here, we review the current knowledge concerning the usefulness of PET and MEG for presurgical assessment of MRI-negative epilepsy. Beyond the individual diagnostic performance of MEG and of different PET tracers, including [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, [(11)C]flumazenil, and markers of 5-HT1A receptors, recent data suggest that the combination of PET and MEG might provide greater sensitivity and specificity than that of each of the two individual tests in patients with normal MRI.

Hypothalamic hamartomas. Part 1. Clinical, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological characteristics

Hypothalamic hamartomas are uncommon but well-recognized developmental malformations that are classically associated with gelastic seizures and other refractory seizure types. The clinical course is often progressive and, in addition to the catastrophic epileptic syndrome, patients commonly exhibit debilitating cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances. Over the past decade, investigators have gained considerable knowledge into the pathobiological and neurophysiological properties of these rare lesions. In this review, the authors examine the causes and molecular biology of hypothalamic hamartomas as well as the principal clinical features, neuroimaging findings, and electrophysiological characteristics. The diverse surgical modalities and strategies used to manage these difficult lesions are outlined in the second article of this 2-part review.

Practical aspects of running developmental studies in the MEG

Developmental neuroimaging studies offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into the underpinnings of various cognitive functions by examining age-related changes in brain structure and function. There is an increasing body of neuroimaging literature discussing issues related to testing children in developmental studies (Crone et al. Human Brain Mapping 31:835-837, 2010). These deal with fMRI developmental studies and discuss methods (Luna et al. Human Brain Mapp 31:863-871, 2010), data interpretation (Poldrack Human Brain Mapp 31:872-878, 2010), and theoretical approaches (Karmiloff-Smith Human Brain Mapp 31:934-941, 2010). There has not yet been an equivalent discussion for MEG developmental studies. This paper will address issues specific to data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation for MEG developmental studies.

Magnetoencephalography adds to the surgical evaluation process

Summarizing the podium discussion at the AES 2009, strengths and limitations of magnetoencephalography (MEG) are discussed with regard to basic methodological and clinical aspects in routine screening and presurgical evaluation of patients with epilepsies. Current literature and example cases are used to illustrate MEG contribution to clinical decision making, specifically whether a patient with pharmacoresistant epilepsy can move forward to epilepsy surgery. The main conclusion is that the largest role of MEG, as presently performed in the clinical environment, is to increase the number of patients who can go on to surgery, while it should not be used to deny surgery to any patient.