Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are a recent technology for magnetoencephalography. While it has many advantages over SQUID-MEG, such as the possibility to adapt to any head shape or to allow for slight movement, it is unclear how well OPMs perform compared to traditional brain imaging methods such as EEG and SQUID-MEG. When playing high-frequency auditory tones (40 Hz), we could show thet the signal-to-noise ratio of OPMs was significantly higher than those of EEG and SQUID-MEG recordings. EEG and OPM recordings were performed in parallel with a custom made cap, while the SQUID-MEG recording was separate, however, performed in the same individuals as the EEG-OPM recording. Our results support the high potential of OPMs to advance neuroscience.
Brickwedde M, Anders P, Krüger P, Sander T, Uhlhaas PJ. Optically pumped magnetometers enhance neuroimaging performance-An EEG, OPM, and SQUID-MEG study. iScience. 2026 Mar 26;29(5):115489. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.115489. PMID: 42011176; PMCID: PMC13091735.