Localization of Brain Injuries Using Cranial Electromagnetic Fields.

Cureus · 2025 · Unclear · Very low evidence

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UnclearVery low evidencePaper 5910

Study snapshot

PublicationCureus · 2025

Study typecohort

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atraumatic brain injury and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been demonstrated to be associated with changes in brain electromagnetic field (EMF) activity due to alterations in the structure and function of neural circuitry. Modulation of abnormal EMF activity through EMF stimulation may promote neural regeneration and may be more beneficial when the specific change in EMF frequency that is correlated with either computed tomography (CT) imaging changes, neurological changes, or both can be precisely localized. The authors investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a noninvasive portable helmet with sensors and built-in signal generators to measure and localize specific changes with frequency and amplitude from brain EMF for both atraumatic and TBI patients. METHODS: This prospective clinical study was conducted from January 2025 to February 2025 and enrolled patients greater than 18 years old diagnosed with atraumatic and TBI, including negative image concussion. Baseline EMF activity was recorded using a helmet equipped with 20 sensor stimulators. Localization of EMF activity was determined based on sensor activity corresponding to the patient's neurological deficits on exam and/or structural lesion(s) on CT. EMF data were collected using the DAQami software (Dataq Instruments, Akron, OH) and analyzed using fast Fourier transformation with the Igor Pro 8 software (Wavemetrics Inc., Lake Oswego, OR) to localize normal and abnormal brain EMF signals by comparing opposing and adjacent sensors. RESULTS: Ten patients were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 47.1 years. Mechanisms of injury included spontaneous hypertensive intracranial hemorrhage (one patient) and head trauma after motor vehicle collision (auto vs. auto; auto vs. motorcycle; and auto vs. pedestrian), dirt bike accident, and ground-level fall (nine patients). Radiographic findings included spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage (one patient), isolated traumatic subdural hematoma (one patient), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (one patient), and no intracranial abnormalities (seven patients). Abnormal EMF activity was recorded and correlated with neurological deficits on exam, CT findings, or both, demonstrating the usefulness of EMF in localizing brain injuries. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of utilizing a noninvasive portable helmet for real-time EMF recording and localization of brain abnormalities in atraumatic and TBI patients, including image-negative concussions. EMF measurements may aid in monitoring recovery after atraumatic brain injury and TBI and enable the clinician to tailor treatment plans based on the patient's unique brain EMF patterns.

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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 typecohort

Effect directionunclear

PopulationAdults (>18 years) with atraumatic brain injury and traumatic brain injury (including image-negative concussion)

Sample size10

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 10 enrolled patients, abnormal brain EMF activity was recorded and reported to correlate with neurological deficits on exam, CT findings, or both, supporting the usefulness of the helmet-based EMF approach for localizing brain injuries. The authors conclude the method was feasible and efficacious for real-time EMF recording/localization, including in image-negative concussions.

Outcomes measured

Feasibility of noninvasive portable helmet for real-time EMF recording
Localization of abnormal brain EMF activity relative to neurological deficits on exam and/or structural lesions on CT
Correlation of abnormal EMF activity with CT findings and/or neurological deficits

Limitations

Very small sample size (n=10)
Short study period (January 2025 to February 2025)
No quantitative performance metrics (e.g., sensitivity/specificity) reported in abstract
Frequency band/measurement parameters not specified in abstract
Observational correlation design; no control/comparator group described

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "cranial electromagnetic fields (brain EMF) measured with noninvasive portable helmet with sensors and built-in signal generators",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adults (>18 years) with atraumatic brain injury and traumatic brain injury (including image-negative concussion)",
  "sample_size": 10,
  "outcomes": [
    "Feasibility of noninvasive portable helmet for real-time EMF recording",
    "Localization of abnormal brain EMF activity relative to neurological deficits on exam and/or structural lesions on CT",
    "Correlation of abnormal EMF activity with CT findings and/or neurological deficits"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 10 enrolled patients, abnormal brain EMF activity was recorded and reported to correlate with neurological deficits on exam, CT findings, or both, supporting the usefulness of the helmet-based EMF approach for localizing brain injuries. The authors conclude the method was feasible and efficacious for real-time EMF recording/localization, including in image-negative concussions.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (n=10)",
    "Short study period (January 2025 to February 2025)",
    "No quantitative performance metrics (e.g., sensitivity/specificity) reported in abstract",
    "Frequency band/measurement parameters not specified in abstract",
    "Observational correlation design; no control/comparator group described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "traumatic brain injury",
    "atraumatic brain injury",
    "concussion",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "helmet",
    "noninvasive monitoring",
    "CT correlation",
    "neurological deficits",
    "fast Fourier transform"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "engineering",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Noninvasive portable helmet with sensors/signal generators for EMF recording and localization."
    },
    {
      "slug": "clinical-neurology",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Application to atraumatic brain injury, TBI, and concussion with correlation to exam/CT."
    }
  ]
}

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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.80518
PubMed: 40225463

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