BRAIN project (Nugent)

National Institute Of Mental Health

Investigators

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this project has been substantially delayed. We received our original 19 channel system in November of 2020. Also, in late 2020 the Section on Instrumentation completed work on a 3D printed array fixture to hold our sensors, as well as a calibration jig and associated electronics. After receiving the sensors, and performing extensive testing with our calibrator, we were able to identify several issues with the sensors that we worked on with the vendor to address. Changes resulted from this included a more reliable automated calibration process, better field nulling in the presence of crosstalk, and more robust connections between the sensors and associated cabling. In addition, we revised our calibration device to allow for a larger dynamic range of field strengths, and further refined our calibration software. During this testing phase, we observed spike noise on multiple channels; this necessitated the temporary return of our sensors to the vendor. In July, we received our original 19 sensors back, along with 45 additional sensors procured with Brain Initiative funding. We have begun testing of these sensors and have begun work with the section on instrumentation to begin construction of a 56-channel array with 3 reference sensors. One crucial issue will be thermal management, as the sensors generate heat. We hope to have calibration measurements completed by the end of FY21, with human studies beginning in early FY22. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, our hiring of a scientist dedicated to this project was delayed. However, in May of 2021, we welcomed a post-doctoral fellow into our lab who will be a lead associate investigator on the project.