Work

Optically-pumped magnetometer-MEG (OPM-MEG) can detect and map epileptiform activity in diagnostic and presurgical paediatric cohorts

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective Several studies have now demonstrated that OPM-MEG can be used to detect interictal epileptiform activity in both adults and children. The potential reduced costs and increased tolerability afforded by OPM-MEG could increase the clinical utility of the technique to encompass patients who are at the diagnostic stage. We aimed to demonstrate use in both diagnostic and presurgical patients, with high concordance relative to clinical profiles and previous clinical EEGs. We were particularly interested in demonstrating use in a wider presentation of epilepsy, particularly in those with autism and associated comorbid conditions who generally find EEG more difficult to tolerate. Methods 17 paediatric patients were recorded (7 presurgical; 10 diagnostic). Number of detected epileptiform events, recording length, and patient feedback were used as measures of diagnostic yield and tolerability. Equivalent current dipole mapping was used to localise epileptiform activity (e.g. spikes/sharp waves) and results were compared with clinical history for concordance. Results OPM-MEG recordings were tolerated well. The average number of detected epileptiform events for the presurgical cohort was 35 with a SD of 33 instances per participant, and for the diagnostic cohort was 39 with a SD of 78 instances per participant. One presurgical cohort participant and four diagnostic cohort participants did not show any epileptiform activity during the recording time. Conclusions This study demonstrates that OPM-MEG can be used to detect interictal epileptiform activity in a diverse cohort of paediatric patients, in both focal and generalised epilepsies. Significance This work provides evidence for a use-case earlier in the evaluation of paediatric epilepsy.

Source: Clinical Neurophysiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2026.2112443