Overcoming these challenges, we measure detailed magnetic\nactivity originating from the human hand[1]. The key advancement is in\ncombining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with small-sized magnetic\nshielding. TMS is a technique to stimulate specific regions of the brain to\ninvoke muscle movement. This enables a repeatable measurement that can be\nperformed many times in a short period of time, allowing us to average many\ntrials. In contrast to typical bio-magnetic measurements which utilize a\nmagnetically shielded room, we used a magnetic shield that fit only over the\nforearm of the subject, enabling us to operate in a typical hospital\nenvironment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Collaboration with doctors at the University hospital has\nbeen a critical aspect of our work. Comparing results with simultaneously\nacquired electromyograms and electroencephalograms, we show how our\nmagnetomyograms can provide a new diagnostic tool for doctors studying neuro-degenerative\ndisease and muscle health. We are currently expanding the number of subjects to\nvalidate our clinical results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nerve identification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Using TMS with magnetometers arranged to study the central\narm (near the elbow), we are working to identify which specific nerves are used\nto transmit signals to the different hand muscles, and a detailed temporal\nprofile of these signals. This system will also study nerve conduction velocity\n– a measure of the nerve health. We are also developing a setup to detect\nmagnetic fields from central arm nerves arising from somatosensory stimuli at\nthe hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/budker.uni-mainz.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/sub4_comb-8-27-1024x990.png\")
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