Psychophysical study of brain with intermittent photic stimulation using magnetoencephalography (MEG)

• Main Author: Pandarinathan, Ganesh
• Other Authors: Manojit Pramanik
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/75260
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Dynamic visual stimulation also called as intermittent photic stimulation is used in psychophysical studies of brain to an intermittently flickering light. Brain’s response to this type of stimulus has long been applied in epilepsy studies with Electroencephalography(EEG). Magnetoencephalography(MEG) is a sophisticated technology having ability to detect magnetic brain signals within milliseconds range. In this study, we will use MEG to study the response of brain to a dynamic photic stimulation that has been recently shown to possess great potential as therapeutic approach due to its ability to entrain brain oscillations. Three experiments covering the study of illusion effect, variation in signal with age and entrainment of gamma waves are present in this report. Factors influencing the psychophysical response such as age, frequency of stimulation are taken into consideration. A novel photic stimulator that is compatible to function inside MEG setup is used. This stimulator uses a fiber optic cable to deliver light inside the MEG shielding room and can be readily connected to the main MEG acquisition system. All the results pertaining to each of the experiment and the established findings are discussed along with their potentials in taking the study forward using image processing tools like MNE Python, Brainstorm and in-built MEG tools.