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Characterization of an Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM) Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Array
NCT04950309 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Background: Brain activity produces magnetic fields. These fields can be measured outside the head. Existing technology, called MEG, measures these fields. Researchers are testing a new type of magnetic field sensor called OPM. They hope it can help pinpoint with very high accuracy where brain activity is generated. Objective: To develop and test a new type of sensor for measuring the magnetic fields produced by brain activity. Eligibility: Healthy people ages 18-65 who had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan under protocol 17-M-0181. Design: Participants may be asked to complete sessions on both the traditional MEG instrument and the OPM array. For the MEG, 3 small coils will be placed on the participant s face with tape. Their head will be positioned inside the MEG device. For the OPM, sensors are housed in a 3d printed array. The sensors will be attached to a cap placed on the participant s head. For both scans, participants will be seated in a chair inside a magnetically shielded room. They may complete several tasks. In one task, plastic cells will be placed on their fingers. Puffs of air will be sent to these cells, which will stimulate the sense of touch. Other tasks may include the following stimuli: visual (such as checkerboards), auditory (such as beeps and tones), or language (words and letters). Researchers may also obtain recordings while they stimulate the nerve in the participant s forearm using electrical current in small electrodes. Participation is expected to last for 1 day. Additional optional scans may be offered for up to 1 year....
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE SQUID MEG
- DEVICE OPM MEG
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 75 participants |
| Start Date | 2022-05-12 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-08-01 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04950309
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04950309 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 75 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which has 317 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Normal Physiology appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which SQUID MEG is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04950309 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04950309 about?
NCT04950309 is a clinical study titled "Characterization of an Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM) Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Array". Background: Brain activity produces magnetic fields. These fields can be measured outside the head. Existing technology, called MEG, measures these fields. Researchers are testing a new type of magnetic field sensor called OPM. They hope it can help pinpoint with very high accuracy where brain acti...
What is the current status of trial NCT04950309?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 75 participants. The study started on 2022-05-12. Estimated completion is 2026-08-01.
What conditions does trial NCT04950309 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Normal Physiology. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04950309?
The interventions under investigation include: SQUID MEG (DEVICE), OPM MEG (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04950309?
This trial is sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which has 317 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04950309 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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