Novel Method of Electromagnetic Field Measurements of the Human Brain.

Cureus · 2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5748

A non-contact sensor detected differences between background measurements and signals attributed to the human brain through the scalp and skull. Differences in magnetic field potential were also detected during a task and during auditory stimulation.

Study snapshot

PublicationCureus · 2022

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Introduction Advancements in neuroimaging have changed the field of medicine. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typically produce a static image of the brain, while continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) data is limited to the cortical surface. The brain's chemical reactions produce an electric circuit that generates a magnetic field. We seek to test the ability of a non-contact sensor to measure the human brain's electromagnetic field (EMF). Methods A lightweight, inexpensive construct was designed to hold EMF sensors to non-invasively measure the human brain's dynamic EMF. Measurements were conducted on non-clinical human volunteers. Background data without the human subjects was obtained, followed by introducing human subjects. Motionless human subject data was obtained, followed by a subject performing a task. Finally, a subject received auditory stimulation, and data was obtained. Results Our non-contact sensor was able to detect a difference between background activity without a human subject and the electromagnetic field of a human brain within the scalp and skull. Detectable differences in magnetic field potential were also obtained when the subject performed a task and received auditory stimulation. Conclusion It is possible to continuously measure living human brain dynamic electromagnetic fields throughout the entire brain in a non-contact, non-invasive, continuous manner through the human scalp and skull in the standard environment. The signals are unique to the individual human and can be differentiated from background activity.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNon-clinical human volunteers

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Ability of a non-contact sensor to detect differences between background activity and human brain electromagnetic field signals
Detectable differences in magnetic field potential during task performance
Detectable differences in magnetic field potential during auditory stimulation

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Frequency range and measurement units not specified in abstract
Participant characteristics and selection criteria not described in abstract
No details provided on sensor specifications, calibration, or signal processing methods in abstract
Non-clinical volunteer setting; clinical applicability not established in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "human brain (endogenous EMF)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Non-clinical human volunteers",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Ability of a non-contact sensor to detect differences between background activity and human brain electromagnetic field signals",
    "Detectable differences in magnetic field potential during task performance",
    "Detectable differences in magnetic field potential during auditory stimulation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A non-contact sensor detected differences between background measurements and signals attributed to the human brain through the scalp and skull. Differences in magnetic field potential were also detected during a task and during auditory stimulation.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Frequency range and measurement units not specified in abstract",
    "Participant characteristics and selection criteria not described in abstract",
    "No details provided on sensor specifications, calibration, or signal processing methods in abstract",
    "Non-clinical volunteer setting; clinical applicability not established in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-contact sensor",
    "electromagnetic field measurement",
    "human brain",
    "magnetic field potential",
    "non-invasive monitoring",
    "auditory stimulation",
    "task performance"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21982
PubMed: 35282504

Read the original paper →

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