Approaches to detect Neuronal Currents using a DC-Mechanism by means of Low Field Magnetic Resonance

A great challenge is the non-invasive detection of neuronal currents by means of magnetic resonance. A number of attempts have been performed by using high field MR scanners without unambiguous results up to now due to physiological and technical limitations. Our paper discusses the possibility to overcome these limitations by using low field MR with detection fields below the earth magnetic field. To this end, measurements of neuronal activity with magnetoencephalography will be used to estimate underlying neuronal current. This enables the estimation of expected changes in the MR signal during neuronal activation. The proposed DCmechanism uses special adapted paradigms, which activate neuronal currents for several seconds. That will enable the tuning of changes in the MR signal and increase the signal-to-noise ratio.