论文标题：A tool for functional brain imaging with lifespan compliance

期刊：Nature Communications

作者：Ryan M. Hill, Elena Boto et.al

发表时间：2019/11/05

数字识别码：10.1038/s41467-019-12486-x

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《自然-通讯》今日发表的一项研究A tool for functional brain imaging with lifespan compliance介绍了一种自行车头盔改造的穿戴式脑扫描系统。该设备可以让儿童的脑扫描更简单、更可靠，促进对整个生命周期的脑发育研究。

针对儿童的脑扫描系统

图片来源：Hill等

脑磁图（通过大脑产生的弱磁场测量脑部活动）一类的脑扫描技术可以提供关于大脑功能的有用信息。然而，大部分扫描仪都是根据成人进行优化的，很难监控婴幼儿的脑活动。不仅头部大小存在差异，儿童还比成人更好动，这会影响到最终的扫描质量。

为了解决这个问题，英国诺丁汉大学的Matthew Brookes和同事在自行车头盔里安装了一个可穿戴脑磁图设备。作者在头盔上固定了一些小型轻便的传感器，用于追踪头部运动，让扫描质量不会受到患者运动的影响。作者用这个设备记录了2岁和5岁幼童的大脑对外部接触的反应。儿童可以在家或骑车时佩戴一个同款头盔，先习惯一下，从而减少实际扫描时的焦虑感。研究人员用该头盔记录了一名青少年打电子游戏时和一名24岁年轻人弹尤克里里时的脑活动，证明该头盔可以调节适应各种头型和尺寸。

除了研究自闭症和癫痫这类神经发育性疾病外，该脑扫描仪还能用来研究健康大脑的发育。

摘要：The human brain undergoes significant functional and structural changes in the first decades of life, as the foundations for human cognition are laid down. However, non-invasive imaging techniques to investigate brain function throughout neurodevelopment are limited due to growth in head-size with age and substantial head movement in young participants. Experimental designs to probe brain function are also limited by the unnatural environment typical brain imaging systems impose. However, developments in quantum technology allowed fabrication of a new generation of wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology with the potential to revolutionise electrophysiological measures of brain activity. Here we demonstrate a lifespan-compliant MEG system, showing recordings of high fidelity data in toddlers, young children, teenagers and adults. We show how this system can support new types of experimental paradigm involving naturalistic learning. This work reveals a new approach to functional imaging, providing a robust platform for investigation of neurodevelopment in health and disease.

（来源：科学网）