Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is one of just 34 clinical sites nationwide offering MEG, and the only one in North Carolina and surrounding states. That means you can access advanced brain imaging close to home.
Our experts use this cutting-edge brain imaging technique to help diagnose and treat complex neurological problems – providing complete, high-quality care tailored to your needs.
What is MEG?
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a safe, non-invasive brain scan that shows how your brain is working in real time. It’s one of the most advanced imaging methods of its kind.
MEG uses highly sensitive sensors to detect tiny magnetic signals created by your brain’s electrical activity. These signals help doctors understand how different areas of your brain function.
Who Might Benefit from MEG?
MEG may be recommended if you have epilepsy, a brain tumor or another condition affecting how your brain works. It’s especially useful when doctors need to find the exact source of seizures or plan surgery near critical brain areas that control functions like speech, movement and vision.
If your neurologist thinks MEG could help with diagnosis or treatment planning, they can refer you to our team.
What are the Advantages of MEG?
MEG offers several important benefits:
- Safe and non-invasive: MEG scans are very safe. No needles, no radiation, and no known risks.
- Real-time brain activity: MEG shows how your brain is working during tasks like speaking, moving, or listening – not just what it looks like.
- Highly accurate: MEG can detect even the smallest signals deep in the brain, helping doctors pinpoint the exact location of problems like seizures or tumors.
Why Choose Us for MEG
With the region's only MEG program, we bring together experts in neurology, brain imaging and neurosurgery to deliver precise, compassionate care.
MEG plays a key role in diagnosing and treating complex brain conditions, especially epilepsy. As part of our Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, MEG helps us pinpoint exactly where seizures begin in the brain. This allows our specialists to create personalized treatment plans that can reduce or stop seizures, especially when medications aren’t working well.
MEG also helps determine whether surgery is the right option and guides the safest surgical approach to protect brain function.
Whether you're preparing for surgery, exploring treatment options, or seeking answers, our team uses MEG to help deliver the best possible outcomes.
How to Prepare for a MEG Scan
Getting ready for a MEG scan is simple.
Because MEG is very sensitive to magnetic signals, it’s important to remove anything that might interfere with the scan. This includes jewelry, watches, and clothing with metal parts.
You may also be asked to avoid makeup or hair products on the day of your scan. Your doctor will let you know if you need to avoid certain foods, drinks or medications.
Before the scan begins, small stickers (called head positioning coils) may be placed on your head. These help the MEG machine track your head’s position during the scan. In some cases, an EEG may be done at the same time to give doctors even more information about your brain activity.
What to Expect During a MEG Scan
During the scan, you’ll lie down or sit in a chair. The MEG machine looks like a large helmet – only your head goes inside, and it’s open in the front so you won’t feel enclosed. A specialist will help you get comfortable and explain what to expect.
You’ll need to stay as still as possible during the scan to get clear results. Depending on what your doctor is looking for, you may be asked to relax, listen to sounds, look at pictures, read words or move your hands. Some patients even sleep during the scan.
Most scans take about an hour, but the full visit may take a little longer. It typically does not require an overnight stay.
MEG Research
At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, we use MEG in groundbreaking research that will shape the future of neurological care.
Our researchers are leading cutting-edge studies to better understand a wide range of brain conditions, including epilepsy, stroke, PTSD, dementia, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorders, infectious diseases and more.
These studies will help us develop more personalized treatments and bring new hope to patients.