# Wearable RF-EEG Cap for closed loopTMS/fMRI/EEG Applications

> **NIH NIH K99** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2022 · $163,620

## Abstract

Project Summary
Functional MRI (fMRI) is the prevailing method for both basic research and clinical functional neuroimaging in
humans. A key component behind state-of-the-art fMRI is the multichannel radio frequency (RF) receive coil
technology, which enables parallel imaging acceleration for improved spatial and temporal resolution. However,
these imaging coils are usually fabricated on a hard helmet-shaped plastic chassis. This constitutes a critical
barrier for multimodal approaches combining fMRI with other non-invasive brain imaging and stimulation
methods such as electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic simulation (TMS). While invaluable
for large-scale imaging of both superficial and deep brain structures with high resolution, fMRI is an indirect
measure of neuronal activity: it assesses brain function through the measurement of hemodynamic changes
driven by local neuronal activity. Therefore, research approaches that combine fMRI with TMS would greatly
benefit from the capability to concurrently also record EEG to obtain a direct neurophysiological measure of the
underlying electrical brain activity. Specifically, the availability of simultaneously acquired EEG data would help
us to (i) address fundamental questions on the mechanisms of TMS-induced changes in network-level brain
activations and (ii) enable closed loop therapeutic applications for individually tailored treatment protocols.
 We propose to overcome the critical technological barriers for combined non-invasive stimulation (TMS) and
multimodal imaging (EEG-fMRI) by applying flexible RF coil technology. Our overarching goal is to build and test
a first-of-its-kind TMS compatible integrated multimodal imaging array, a “RF-EEG cap”, to allow simultaneous
fMRI and EEG acquisition concurrently with TMS. To achieve this, we will employ flexible TMS-compatible RF
coil elements sewed to a specifically tailored cap directly integrated with a commercial MRI compatible EEG cap.
Used in conjunction with an MRI-compatible TMS coil to modulate ongoing brain activity, the system will enable
studies of causal relationships between brain regions noninvasively with unprecedented spatiotemporal
resolution, thus contributing to one of the main goals of the BRAIN Initiative. The project utilizes the extensive
knowledge of the team mentors and collaborators in the fields of RF coil design and TMS/multimodal imaging
and the availability of MR compatible TMS and EEG systems at MGH/Martinos Center. The candidate’s goal is
to achieve the skills needed to launch her independent long-term research program on developing multimodal
TMS/EEG/fMRI instrumentation and applying these methods in studies on the human brain. The proposed
project will complement the candidate's strong prior expertise in designing and building TMS-compatible MRI
hardware. The main training elements are 1) to extend the applicant's RF engineering skills to optimize the
proposed flexible RF coil technology and 2) to adva...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10520726
- **Project number:** 1K99EB032749-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Lucia Isabel Navarro de Lara
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $163,620
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10520726

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10520726, Wearable RF-EEG Cap for closed loopTMS/fMRI/EEG Applications (1K99EB032749-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10520726. Licensed CC0.

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