# Developing wearable OPM-MEG to assess brain function in mother-infant dyads during social interactions

> **NIH NIH R21** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2022 · $218,770

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The proposed work will adapt current wearable, optically pumped magnetometer-based
magnetoencephalography (opmMEG) for use in infants, and will then further adapt these protocols for
simultaneous recording of brain activity in mother-infant dyads during naturalistic social interactions. While both
electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have been used to assess
brain function in infants, and EEG has even been used to simultaneously assess mother-infant dyad brain
function during naturalistic interactions, they each have limitations that are addressed by wearable opmMEG.
Both EEG and fMRI allow for high temporal, millisecond, resolution; however, EEG poses challenges for source
localization. Although fMRI addresses the source localization issues of EEG, it does not allow for the same
naturalistic social paradigms as EEG, and is also loud and expensive. OpmMEG is non-invasive, quiet, and
provides both high temporal resolution and accurate source localization. OPMs can be used at room
temperature, unlike other MEG sensors that must be cooled using expensive cryogens. OPMs are also small
and lightweight, making them amenable to use in wearable helmets, which can be used even during paradigms
that include participant motion. All of these characteristics of opmMEG make it an ideal candidate for adaptation
for use in infants, and further, use in naturally interacting mother-infant dyads. The ability to assess brain function
simultaneously within a mother-infant dyad represents an unprecedented opportunity to gain knowledge about
typical development, which is key to being able to recognize clinically relevant patterns of brain function indicative
of later emerging psychopathology. Once the proposed work is completed, we will have developed
optimized protocols, and the first-ever opmMEG data collected in an infant, as well as the first ever
simultaneous mother-infant opmMEG collected during naturalistic, physically-touching, social
interactions. The innovations represented by this proposal are paramount to moving the field of infant imaging
vertically to improve our understanding of neurodevelopment using salient social interactions that exist within
the developmentally unique and formative mother-infant dyad.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10373318
- **Project number:** 1R21EB031547-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** BRITTANY ROLLINS HOWELL
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $218,770
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-02-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10373318

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10373318, Developing wearable OPM-MEG to assess brain function in mother-infant dyads during social interactions (1R21EB031547-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10373318. Licensed CC0.

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