1st Edition
Working with MEG A Practical Guide to Magnetoencephalography
Working with MEG provides an accessible, user-friendly guide to using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in neuroscience research.
In this novel guide, Gavin Perry delves into the practical aspects of designing, running and analysing MEG studies – which have traditionally been transferred informally by lab support or word of mouth from more experienced researchers, a difficult and time-consuming task. This user-friendly guide provides those starting out in MEG research with these basics, giving them an understanding of concepts and terminology, guidance on using equipment as well as an overview of the strengths and limitations of the technique. The book is packed with example figures and contains a glossary of key terms. Chapters in this book cover topics such as the physiological origins of the brain’s magnetic field, MEG instrumentation and how it can be used to measure brain activity, the process of collecting MEG data and how to design experimental paradigms for use with MEG. It also examines the fundamentals of MEG data analysis, including analysis in the time, frequency and time–frequency domains; performing analysis of the sources of the MEG signals within the brain; and using statistical methods to perform hypothesis testing on MEG data, as well as examples of some of the most commonly used applications of MEG.
Designed to be a practical guide for those new to the use of MEG as a research tool, this book will be essential reading for undergraduate, postgraduate and early career researchers looking for an introduction to MEG.
Preface
Part 1: Measuring the brain’s magnetic field
Chapter 1: What is MEG?
Chapter 2: How to collect MEG data
Part 2: Analysing the data
Chapter 3: Analysing data time series
Chapter 4: Analysing spatial information
Chapter 5: Applications of MEGGlossary
Biography
Gavin Perry is Multimodal Laboratories Manager at Cardiff University Brain Research Imagine Centre (CUBRIC). His research interest is in the application of MEG to the study of visual perception.
"Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is increasingly being used to provide new insights into brain function in both health and disease, providing a richness of information that cannot be provided by any other non-invasive technique in humans. However, this complexity means that MEG can be daunting for new students and researchers. In this book, Dr Perry provides an excellent introduction to the core physical principles underlying MEG, the nature of the data and the questions that can be asked, before covering the different approaches to source localisation and analysis. The book is therefore highly recommended for anyone interested in either starting to use MEG in their own research or simply learning more about this powerful tool for neuroscience research."
- Krish Singh, Cardiff University"The reader is taken on the journey from experimental conception to data interpretation, this exceptionally useful and accessible resource will be invaluable to researchers starting out in MEG."
- Matthew Brookes, University of Nottingham
