Wearable brain imaging tech sheds new light on multiple sclerosis
A study using wearable brain-scanning technology has revealed how brain function differs in people with multiple sclerosis.
This research marks the first use of a newly developed technique called OPM-MEG in MS, demonstrating its potential to study neurological disease.
OPM-MEG (magnetoencephalography with optically pumped magnetometers) measures electrical brain activity in real time by detecting magnetic fields generated by neurons.
Unlike MRI, which produces structural images, the OPM-MEG device features a lightweight helmet and a backpack-mounted control unit, enabling brain activity to be recorded while people rest, stand, walk or perform movement-based tasks.
Ben Sanders and Christopher Gilmartin from the University of Nottingham led the study.
Sanders, a physics PhD student, said: “OPM-MEG can record how the brain is working in real time, in a range of postures and during natural movements.
“Our paper shows that this unique capability can bring new insights to MS.”
Scientists from the University of Nottingham’s School of Physics and Astronomy and School of Medicine and Health Sciences tested participants with and without MS.
They found that neural circuits in the visual system were affected by demyelination – the damage to the protective coating around nerve fibres that characterises MS.
The movement area of the brain also responded more slowly in people with MS.
When participants stood upright, researchers saw greater changes in brain rhythms, or “brain waves”, among those with MS compared with people without the condition. They also observed that the movement centres of the brain communicated differently in MS.
Pietro Navarra, who was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) two years ago, took part in the research.
Navarra said: “PPMS has an impact on my short-term memory, and routinely makes me feel fatigued, so having an afternoon nap has become a necessity.
“I wanted to take part in the research as currently there’s very few treatments for PPMS, so if I could support any developments it could help myself and others.
“Also, if possible, I would like to actively try to get better rather than being a passenger in my decline (I hope this doesn’t happen!).
“I hope that this research will identify details of MS progression that can be targeted, maybe treating progression in different parts of the brain differently.
“I also hope it can support early diagnosis so that progression can be stopped before it has any impact.”
The MS Society is funding further research with the University of Nottingham into the progression of the condition using this system.
Laura Ohlmeier is senior research communications officer at the MS Society.
She said: “MS is unpredictable and often strikes at a time when people are making big life choices about careers, relationships and family.
“This new brain-imaging technique could help reveal subtle changes in MS in real time. In the future, this could help us track and predict progression more accurately, giving people living with MS greater certainty about the future.
“We’re proud to be funding two new research projects launched this year at the University of Nottingham to further explore this promising technology.”
