Welcome to the
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Laboratory at UF Health
As one of approximately 200 MEG centers worldwide – and the only academic MEG center in Florida– our mission is to utilize this advanced technology to serve neurological patients and advance brain science. Our team of clinical experts uses MEG routinely for epilepsy and the planning of epilepsy surgery and brain tumor surgery in both adults and children. We are actively researching applications of MEG to understand movement disorders, dementias, and many other neurological conditions. In collaboration with basic scientists, we are using MEG to explore fundamental questions in the human neuroscience of movement, thought, memory, and consciousness.
At UF Health’s MEG laboratory, innovation and compassion converge to make a difference in the lives of the patients we serve.
What is MEG?
An Introduction to
MEG
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is entirely non-invasive and the safest known major technology for imaging the human brain. MEG measures the magnetic fields produced when neurons in the brain communicate with each other. These magnetic fields are extremely small, but MEG sensors are highly sensitive and can pick them up, allowing us to see how different parts of the brain are functioning with millisecond precision in real-time.
The data collected from MEG sensors are combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create magnetic source imaging (MSI). MSI provides a dynamic picture of brain activity, helping pinpoint which areas of the brain are involved in specific functions or affected by disorders. This information is crucial for both clinical applications and research purposes.
Why is
MEG Useful?
MEG is extremely valuable for both neurological patients as well as for human neuroscience research. In patients with epilepsy and brain tumor, it detects and precisely localizes abnormal neural activity, such as epileptiform discharges, and for maps critical brain functions like speech, movement, sensation, and vision. This detailed mapping is crucial for planning surgery in epilepsy and brain tumors, to avoid damaging essential brain areas while removing abnormal tissue.
As a research tool, MEG provides insight into how the brain processes sensory information, performs motor tasks, and experiences cognition and emotions, and so helps scientists understand the neural basis of various cognitive processes and neurological disorders.
By integrating MEG with other neuroimaging techniques, superior treatment strategies and new scientific discoveries are possible.
Inside our Lab
Patient Instructions & Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Team
MEG for Epilepsy
MEG plays a crucial role in advanced epilepsy treatments. By measuring the magnetic fields produced by neuronal activity, MEG provides precise localization of epileptiform discharges, which identify regions of the brain where seizures originate.
MEG for Brain Tumor
In brain tumor surgery, MEG helps surgeons to precisely plan and execute operations by distinguishing between tumor tissue and important functional brain areas, such as those responsible for sensory, motor, auditory, visual, and language processing.
MEG Research
Beyond its established use in epilepsy and brain tumor, researchers are exploring the potential use of MEG in the management of a variety of neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer and Parkinson disease.
Career Opportunities
Volunteer for a Research Study
Locations
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