Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A patient being evaluated by MEG

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a brain imaging technique that measures the magnetic fields emitted by brain cells (neurons), allowing the mapping of brain activity with great precision in real time. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is one of only 29 clinical sites in the country, and the only site in North Carolina and surrounding states, to utilize MEG.

MEG in North Carolina

MEG has the following advantages:

It is non-invasive
It is highly sensitive and accurate
It is completely safe; patients are not exposed to radiation

At the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, MEG is being used to localize epileptic discharges in the brains of patients with seizures. MEG can also localize major brain regions that control movement, sensation, hearing, vision, and language, which can be important for pre-surgical planning in neurosurgery. Surgeries are tailored to the individual patient based on the results of MEG.

For referrals, please call 336-716-5555.

MEG Research

MEG research is increasing our understanding of human brain disorder and is an important research tool for studying a number of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and stroke, as well as psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, dementia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Learn more about research at Wake Forest Baptist.