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Evolution of hybrid functional imaging in bioelectromagnetics research

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Abstract

The field of bioelectromagnetics, consisting of the study of the interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological systems, has been rapidly expanding in the recent years. One important factor that contributes importantly to the development of this field is the continuing advances in technology allowing researchers to investigate different endpoints, or to more precisely measure changes, if any. Hybrid functional imaging is a rapidly maturing field that opens new, important horizons for bioelectromagnetics research. Indeed, unraveling the interaction mechanisms of electromagnetic fields on biological systems (with an emphasis on the brain) requires a monitoring of electrical, functional, and metabolic activity of living tissue at different temporal and spatial scales. Individual tools (e.g., electroencephalography, EEG; functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI) are limited in their ability to detect the effects of electromagnetic interaction at specific temporal and spatial scales, so combining these imaging methods offers a unique opportunity to provide a more comprehensive view of effects in living tissue. In this paper, we will present the different imaging techniques that are available to bioelectromagnetics researchers, including their capabilities and how they are complemented by simultaneous hybrid imaging. Future possibilities of hybrid imaging technologies are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioelectromagnetics Group, Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor St., London, ON, N6A 4V2, Canada

    John A. Robertson, Alex W. Thomas, Julien Modolo, Jodi Miller, Nicole Juen, Alexandre Legros & Frank S. Prato

  2. Departments of Medical Biophysics and Medical Imaging, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    John A. Robertson, Alex W. Thomas, Julien Modolo, Jodi Miller, Nicole Juen, Alexandre Legros & Frank S. Prato

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  1. John A. Robertson
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  2. Alex W. Thomas
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  3. Julien Modolo
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  4. Jodi Miller
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  5. Nicole Juen
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  6. Alexandre Legros
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  7. Frank S. Prato
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Correspondence to Alex W. Thomas.

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Robertson, J.A., Thomas, A.W., Modolo, J. et al. Evolution of hybrid functional imaging in bioelectromagnetics research. Environmentalist 31, 134–139 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-011-9309-x

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