Infant brain imaging using magnetoencephalography: Challenges, solutions, and best practices. Issue 12 (16th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clarke, Maggie D.; Bosseler, Alexis N.; Mizrahi, Julia C.; Peterson, Erica R.; Larson, Eric; Meltzoff, Andrew N.; Kuhl, Patricia K.; Taulu, Samu
• Is Part Of: Human brain mapping. Volume 43:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 3609
• Page End: 3619
• Publication Date: 2022-04-16
• Subjects: analysis -- guidelines -- infant -- magnetoencephalography -- MEG -- processing -- recommendations; Brain mapping -- Periodicals; 611.81
• DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25871
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1065-9471

Abstract

Abstract: The excellent temporal resolution and advanced spatial resolution of magnetoencephalography (MEG) makes it an excellent tool to study the neural dynamics underlying cognitive processes in the developing brain. Nonetheless, a number of challenges exist when using MEG to image infant populations. There is a persistent belief that collecting MEG data with infants presents a number of limitations and challenges that are difficult to overcome. Due to this notion, many researchers either avoid conducting infant MEG research or believe that, in order to collect high‐quality data, they must impose limiting restrictions on the infant or the experimental paradigm. In this article, we discuss the various challenges unique to imaging awake infants and young children with MEG, and share general best‐practice guidelines and recommendations for data collection, acquisition, preprocessing, and analysis. The current article is focused on methodology that allows investigators to test the sensory, perceptual, and cognitive capacities of awake and moving infants. We believe that such methodology opens the pathway for using MEG to provide mechanistic explanations for the complex behavior observed in awake, sentient, and dynamically interacting infants, thus addressing core topics in developmental cognitive neuroscience. Abstract : Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is an excellent tool to study the neural dynamics underlying cognitive processes in the developing brain. Nonetheless, a number of challenges exist when using MEG to image pediatric populations. In this article, we discuss the various challenges unique to imaging awake infants and young children with MEG, and share general best‐practice guidelines and recommendations for data collection, acquisition, preprocessing, and analysis.