title: Realistic spatial sampling for MEG beamformer images.
abstract: The spatial resolution achievable using magnetoencephalography (MEG) beamformer techniques is inhomogeneous across the brain and is related directly to the amplitude of the underlying electrical sources [Barnes and Hillebrand, Hum Brain Mapp 2003;18:1-12; Gross et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001;98:694-699; Van Veen et al., IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 1997;44:867-860; Vrba and Robinson, Proc 12th Int Conf Biomagn 2001]. We set out to examine what an adequate level of spatial sampling of the brain volume is in a realistic situation, and what implications these inhomogeneities have for region-of-interest analysis. As a basis for these calculations, we used a simple retinotopic mapping experiment where stimuli were 17-Hz reversing gratings presented in either left or right visual hemifield. Beamformer weights were calculated based on the covariance of the MEG data in a 0-80 Hz bandwidth. We then estimated volumetric full-width half-maximum (FWHM) maps at a range of sampling levels. We show that approximately 10% of the 1 mm cubic voxels in the occipital volume have a FWHM smoothness of <5 mm, and 80% <10 mm in three subjects. This was despite relatively low mean signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) values of 1.5. We demonstrate how visualization of these FWHM maps can be used to avoid some of the pitfalls implicit in beamformer region-of-interest analysis.
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Research Institute, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom. barnesgr@aston.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gareth R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Arjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hillebrand
authors.forename: Ian P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Fawcett
authors.forename: Krish D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology