Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a brain imaging technique that measures the magnetic fields emitted by brain cells (neurons), allowing the mapping of brain activity with great precision in real time.
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is 1 of only 29 clinical sites in the country, and the only site in North Carolina and surrounding states, to utilize MEG.
MEG has the following advantages:
- It is non-invasive.
- It is highly sensitive and accurate.
- It is completely safe; patients are not exposed to radiation.
MEG can also localize major brain regions that control movement, sensation, hearing, vision, and language, which can be important for pre-surgical planning in neurosurgery. Surgeries are tailored to the individual patient based on the results of MEG.
MEG Research
MEG research is increasing our understanding of human brain disorder and is an important research tool for studying a number of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and stroke, as well as psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, dementia, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
At the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, MEG is being used to localize epileptic discharges in the brains of patients with seizures. By using this technology, our epilepsy specialists can pinpoint exactly where seizures originate and design a treatment program to reduce or stop your seizures.