Abstract：
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that assesses neurophysiology, through detection of the magnetic fields generated by neural currents. In this way, it is sensitive to brain activity, both in individual regions and brain-wide networks. Conventional MEG systems employ an array of sensors that must be cryogenically cooled to low temperature, in a rigid one-size-fits-all helmet. Systems are typically designed to fit adults and are therefore challenging to use for paediatric measurements. Despite this, MEG has been employed successfully in research to investigate neurodevelopmental disorders, and clinically for presurgical planning for paediatric epilepsy. Here, we review the applications of MEG in children, specifically focussing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our review demonstrates the significance of MEG in furthering our understanding of these neurodevelopmental disorders, whilst also highlighting the limitations of current instrumentation. We also consider the future of paediatric MEG, with a focus on newly developed instrumentation based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG). We provide a brief overview of the development of OPM-MEG systems, and how this new technology might enable investigation of brain function in very young children and infants.
摘要：
脑磁图（MEG）是一种非侵入性神经成像技术，可评估神经生理学，通过检测神经电流产生的磁场。这样,它对大脑活动敏感，无论是在单个区域还是在整个大脑的网络中。传统的MEG系统采用必须低温冷却至低温的传感器阵列。在一个刚性的一刀切的头盔。系统通常被设计成适合成年人,并且因此用于儿科测量是具有挑战性的。尽管如此,MEG已成功用于研究神经发育障碍，以及临床上用于小儿癫痫的术前计划。这里,我们回顾了MEG在儿童中的应用，特别关注自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）和注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）。我们的评论证明了MEG在进一步理解这些神经发育障碍方面的重要性。同时也强调了当前仪器的局限性。我们还考虑了儿科MEG的未来，重点是基于光泵浦磁力计（OPM-MEG）的新开发仪器。我们简要概述了OPM-MEG系统的发展，以及这项新技术如何能够研究非常年幼的儿童和婴儿的大脑功能。
