title: Visual evoked potentials may be recorded simultaneously with fMRI scanning: A validation study.
abstract: Integrating electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data may help to optimize anatomical and temporal resolution in the investigation of cortical function. Successful removal of fMRI scanning artifacts from continuous EEG in simultaneous recordings has been reported. We assessed the feasibility of recording reliable visual evoked potentials (VEPs) during fMRI scanning using available artifact removing procedures. EEG during administration of visual stimuli was recorded using MRI-compatible 32-channel equipment in nine normal subjects (mean age, 23.9 +/- 2.5 years), with and without fMRI acquisition. fMRI scanning and cardioballistographic artifacts were removed after subtraction of averaged artifact waveforms. Consistency between VEPs waveforms and of P1 and N1 peak latencies and amplitudes in the two conditions was assessed. Good correlation was found between VEP waveforms (Pearson's correlation coefficient: r(P) between 0.76-0.94 across subjects; P < 0.0001) and between latency or amplitude of P1 and N1 peaks (latencies: r = 0.7, P < 0.035; amplitudes: r > 0.65, P < 0.05; Spearman rank correlation coefficient) in the two recording conditions. No significant differences were found between P1 and N1 parameters in the two conditions (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Consistent VEP waveforms, latencies, and amplitudes with and without fMRI scanning indicate that reliable VEPs may be obtained simultaneously with fMRI recording. This possibility might be helpful by shortening recording times and reducing variability from learning, habituation, and fatigue phenomena from separate recordings for the integration of event-related EEG and fMRI data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, University Vita-Salute, Scientific Institute Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Annovazzi
authors.forename: Ana Martins
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cursi
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blasi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cadioli
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inuggi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falini
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leocani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation