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Biomedical subjects

R T Wakai

Publications and source records attributed to R T Wakai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Development of MEG sleep patterns and magnetic auditory evoked responses during early infancy.

OBJECTIVE: To follow the development of MEG sleep patterns and auditory evoked responses (AERs) during the first six months of life. METHODS: The subjects were 18 neonates, born at conceptional age (CA) 36-42 weeks, following uncomplicated pregnancies. During each session, several 10-min MEG recordings were acquired in the presence of auditory stimulation. The recordings were classified into three distinct MEG patterns-low amplitude irregular; high-amplitude slow; and mixed-based largely on MEG amplitude and frequency. Averaged AERs were computed for the entire recording and for each MEG pattern within the recording. The results were based on analysis of 61 recording sessions of the 10 subjects who yielded three or more sessions of usable data. RESULTS: Developmental changes in the MEG sleep patterns were most pronounced at the earliest ages. By CA 48 weeks the patterns had progressed to a more mature form, characterized by the prevalence of delta wave sleep, absence of discontinuity, and development of spindling and higher amplitude delta rhythms. In contrast to the MEG patterns, the AERs did not change markedly during the first 8 weeks (CA 40-48 weeks) and showed a simple morphology, consisting of a prominent deflection at 250 ms (P250m) and a more diffuse one at around 750 ms (N750m). During the period CA 48-54 weeks, however, a relatively abrupt transition occurred to a more complex morphology, characterized by a double peak with peak latencies 150ms (P150m) and 350 ms (P350m). Beyond this period the AERs continued to evolve, showing biphasic complexes and the emergence of late components arising from outside the auditory cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Over the age range of this study the MEG sleep patterns and AER developed in succession, rather than concurrently; i.e. development of the sleep patterns was most rapid during the first 8 weeks (CA 40-48 weeks) while major development of the AERs commenced after this time. SIGNIFICANCE: This finding suggests that the brain must achieve a certain level of overall maturity, reflected in the character of the MEG sleep patterns at CA 48 weeks, before the cortex enters a phase of significant functional development, reflected in the more rapid evolution of the AER after CA 48 weeks. The results of this study affirm the efficacy of MEG for spatiotemporal characterization of neonatal brain activity.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2004

MEG sleep pattern dependence of auditory evoked fields in young infants.

We recorded magnetic auditory evoked responses (AERs) to brief 1 kHz tones in infants ranging in age from 1.5-8.5 weeks. Long continuous MEG recordings were collected with a 37-channel sensor and were classified into one of four patterns: low-amplitude irregular, high-amplitude slow, mixed, and REM-like sleep. The AERs were characterized by a monophasic deflection with nominal latency 250 msec, followed by a broader peak with opposite polarity and approximate latency 600 msec. No strong dependences on MEG sleep pattern were observed. The latency of the 250 msec component decreased with age, but the 600 msec component showed variable latency. The signal topography of both components was compatible with a source in the auditory cortex. We conclude that sleep state does not appreciably confound recording of the AER in young infants.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory↗
PubMed2004

Maximum likelihood dipole fitting in spatially colored noise.

We evaluated a maximum likelihood dipole-fitting algorithm for somatosensory evoked field (SEF) MEG data in the presence of spatially colored noise. The method exploits the temporal multiepoch structure of the evoked response data to estimate the spatial noise covariance matrix from the section of data being fit, which eliminates the stationarity assumption implicit in prestimulus based whitening approaches. The performance of the method, including its effectiveness in comparison to other localization techniques (dipole fitting, LCMV and MUSIC) was evaluated using the bootstrap technique. Synthetic data results demonstrated robustness of the algorithm in the presence of relatively high levels of noise when traditional dipole fitting algorithms fail. Application of the algorithm to adult somatosensory MEG data showed that while it is not advantageous for high SNR data, it definitely provides improved performance (measured by the spread of localizations) as the data sample size decreases.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Linearly constrained minimum variance source imaging using cortical bases.

An approach is presented for representing spatially extended cortical activity using a basis function expansion. The bases are designed to represent patches on the cortical surface. The basis function expansion coefficients are estimated for each patch by scanning modified linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) spatial filters over the entire surface. Next, a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is performed to detect patches with significant activity. In the last step, an image of the activity within each patch is reconstructed using a minimum norm solution to a local inverse problem. We show that the basis function representation enables the LCMV approach to identify patches of coherent activity that are missed by the conventional LCMV method and has potential for extended source detection and localization.

Cerebral Cortex↗
PubMed2004

HTS magnetometers for fetal magnetocardiography.

High temperature superconducting (HTS) SQUID sensors have adequate magnetic field sensitivity for adult magnetocardiography (MCG) measurements, but it remains to be seen how well they perform for fetal MCG (fMCG), where the heart signals are typically ten times smaller than the adult signals. In this study, we assess the performance of a prototype HTS SQUID system; namely, a three-SQUID gradiometer formed from three vertically-aligned HTS dc-SQUID magnetometers integrated into a fiberglass liquid nitrogen dewar of diameter 12.5 cm and height 30 cm. Axial gradiometers with short or long baseline, as well as a second order gradiometer, can be formed out of these magnetometers via electronic subtraction. The calibrated magnetometer sensitivities at 1 kHz are 109 fT/square root of Hz, 155 fT/square root of Hz and 51 fT/square root of Hz. Direct comparison is made between the HTS SQUID system and a LTS SQUID system by making recordings with both systems during the same session on adult and fetal subjects. Although the fMCG could be resolved with the HTS SQUID system in most near-term subjects, the signal-to-noise ratio was relatively low and the system could not be operated outside of a shielded room.

Cardiotocography↗
PubMed2003

Magnetocardiographic rhythm patterns at initiation and termination of fetal supraventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Using fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG), we characterize for the first time the electrophysiological patterns of initiation and termination of reentrant fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), the most common form of life-threatening fetal arrhythmia. METHODS AND RESULTS: In contrast to the expectation that reentrant SVT is initiated by spontaneous premature atrial contractions (PACs) and is terminated by spontaneous block, 5 distinct patterns of initiation and 4 patterns of termination were documented, with the most common patterns of initiation involving reentrant PACs. Waveform morphology and timing, including QRS and ventriculoatrial interval, were assessed. This enabled detection of such phenomena as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, QRS aberrancy, and multiple reentrant pathways that were crucial for defining the rhythm patterns. In addition, fMCG actocardiography revealed an unexpectedly strong association between fetal trunk movement and the initiation and termination of SVT, suggesting that autonomic influences play a key role. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the patterns of initiation and termination of fetal SVT are more diverse than is generally believed and that the most common patterns of initiation involve reentrant PACs. The ability to discern such patterns can help elucidate the underlying mechanisms and guide antiarrhythmic drug therapy. fMCG provides a noninvasive means of analyzing complex tachyarrhythmia in utero, with efficacy approaching that of postnatal electrocardiographic rhythm monitoring.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed2001

Improved neuromagnetic detection of fetal and neonatal auditory evoked responses.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of fetal and neonatal auditory evoked responses (fAERs and nAERs) obtainable with a low-noise, high-channel count SQUID gradiometer in a well-shielded environment. METHODS: Measurement of long-latency fAERs was attempted in 19 normal fetuses in 28 sessions at 29-40 weeks' gestation, using a 37-channel SQUID gradiometer. Postnatal measurement was attempted in 16 neonates in 25 sessions at age 2-6 weeks. RESULTS: Signals of amplitude 8 fT or greater were detected in 15 of 28 fetal measurement sessions, yielding a higher success rate (54%) than in a previous study of ours. Signals of amplitude greater than 25 fT were detected in 23 of 25 (92%) of neonatal measurement sessions. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the signals were studied in greater detail. Dipole patterns consistent with a source in the auditory cortex were observable in nearly all neonates and in many fetuses. The dominant component of the nAER was compatible with the P250 seen in neonatal EEG recordings; however, the largest component of the fAERs had longer latency and in many subjects had opposite polarity. CONCLUSION: A higher success rate, earlier detection, and improved characterization of signal morphology and topography were demonstrated for fAER recordings.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2001

Eigenvector based spatial filtering of fetal biomagnetic signals.

In this paper we demonstrate the usefulness of an eigenvector based spatial filtering method for signal processing of multi-channel fetal magnetocardiogram (fMCG) and fetal magnetoencephalogram (fMEG) recordings. This method of filtering can separate signal and interference by exploiting the considerable spatial information contained in multi-channel recordings. Typically, fMCGs and fMEGs suffer from large cardiac interference and low signal-to-noise ratio. To isolate the signal from the interference, we identify their respective subspaces using one portion of the record dominated by the signal and another dominated by the interference. Each subspace is approximately rank two since the sources of the signal and interference can be modeled as current dipoles. The spatial filter consists of a linear transformation that preserves the signal subspace and annihilates the interference subspace. It is easier to implement than a matched filter, preserves the morphology and topography of the fetal signal, and effectively removes maternal cardiac interference, even when the maternal and fetal complexes overlap strongly in time or when small maternal movements or maternal arrhythmias alter the temporal character of the interference.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory↗
PubMed2000

Transmission of electric and magnetic foetal cardiac signals in a case of ectopia cordis: the dominant role of the vernix. caseosa.

Foetal electrocardiograms (fECGs) and foetal magnetocardiograms (fMCGs) were recorded in the 26th, 29th and 31st weeks of gestation from a foetus with ectopia cordis-a rare condition in which the heart lies outside the chest wall. This provided an opportunity to study foetal cardiograms uninfluenced by the insulating effects of the foetal skin and vernix caseosa. The fECG of the ectopia cordis foetus was striking. Unlike recordings from age-matched normal foetuses, recordings from this subject had very high signal-to-noise ratio and showed no anomalous signal transmission properties. In contrast, fMCGs recorded from the ectopia cordis foetus and normal foetuses were largely similar. Both showed high signal-to-noise ratio and signal transmission properties consistent with volume conduction. The findings corroborate the hypothesis that high foetal skin resistance due primarily to the vernix caseosa is responsible for the low amplitude and anomalous transmission properties of the normal fECG, and demonstrate that the fMCG is relatively insensitive to conductivity inhomogeneities.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of fetal rhythm in complete congenital heart block by magnetocardiography.

We report high precision assessment of fetal rhythm in utero in a case of isolated congenital complete heart block using fetal magnetocardiography. The recordings reveal a remarkably strong tendency for the atria and ventricles to synchronize, which is manifested by the continual presence of ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia and frequent episodes of accrochage and isorhythmic AV dissociation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Noninvasive in utero assessment of PR and QRS intervals from the fetal magnetocardiogram.

Fetal cardiac waveform intervals were assessed from fetal magnetocardiogram (FMCG) recordings taken from 59 pregnant women at 17-41 weeks gestation. Beyond 27 weeks' gestation PR and QRS intervals, measured from averaged waveforms, could be obtained from all subjects; however, prior to 21 weeks' gestation the success rate was 50% or less due to low signal-to-noise ratio. QT interval could not be assessed accurately in most subjects. Weak, but statistically significant, correlations with gestational age were found for PR interval (n = 145, R2 = 0.033, P = 0.028) and QRS interval (n = 145, R2 = 0.140, P < 0.0005). Abnormal waveform morphology was documented in several patients with cardiac malformations.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Visualization of dipole solutions to the neuromagnetic inverse problem.

We have developed a computer program that computes and displays current-dipole solutions to the neuromagnetic inverse problem. The three-dimensional positions, orientations, and corresponding magnetic field values of the detection coils can be visualized with respect to a realistic representation of the subject's head shape. The topographies of the experimental data, theoretical fit, and residual field are represented without the use of data smoothing or interpolation, allowing more direct comparisons between them. A simple method for displaying dipole source location was implemented.

Brain Mapping↗
PubMed1995

Whole head mapping of magnetic fields following painful electric finger shock.

Painful intracutaneous electric finger shock was delivered to the fifth digit of the non-dominant hand of five healthy volunteers. Whole head evoked magnetic field maps were collected and cortical localizations were calculated using local sphere equivalent current dipole fits. MRI scans were used to identify the anatomical structures where magnetic field sources were located. Anatomically, sources were identified bilaterally in the primary somatosensory region and SII-Insula regions. Additionally, frontal operculum sources were observed contralaterally in two subjects. Temporally, an initial contralateral SI activation at 40-60 ms was followed by several SII-Insula responses over the next several hundred milliseconds (ms). These SII-Insula responses were often interspersed with additional activations of the SI region. These later responses were observed in both hemispheres.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Foetal magnetocardiogram amplitude oscillations associated with respiratory sinus arrhythmia.

We show that oscillations at foetal breathing frequencies observed in foetal heart rate (FHR) tracings obtained from foetal magnetocardiogram (FMCG) recordings are often accompanied by synchronous modulation of FMCG signal amplitude. This implies an association between the FHR oscillations and foetal chest wall movements, corroborating the hypothesis that the oscillations are due to respiratory sinus arrhythmia.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Spatiotemporal properties of the fetal magnetocardiogram.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the spatiotemporal properties of the fetal magnetocardiogram. STUDY DESIGN: Fetal magnetocardiogram maps were measured for the first time in 20 subjects from 22 to 39 weeks' gestation. Waveform and topographic maps were used to display the data. RESULTS: The maps showed spatiotemporal properties consistent with simple volume conductor theory: topography was closely related to the presentation of the fetus, Q-wave sources were dipolar and localized, the magnetic heart vector rotated extensively during the QRS complex, and close correspondence was observed between fetal and neonatal maps. Ventricular depolarization and events in the cardiac cycle could be visualized in considerable detail by means of a time series of topographic maps. CONCLUSION: Fetal magnetocardiogram shows excellent spatiotemporal properties and is well suited for in utero studies of fetal heart activity.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1993

Spectral analysis of antepartum fetal heart rate variability from fetal magnetocardiogram recordings.

Fetal heart rate variability was derived from fetal magnetocardiogram recordings in ten subjects at gestation ages 32-38 weeks. Maternal interference was negligible and R-wave detection was highly reliable. Oscillations suggestive of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were prominent in many of the heart rate tracings. Spectral analysis was used to quantify heart rate variability and to examine the influence of the RSA-like oscillations on heart rate variability. The oscillations were associated with increased power in the frequency range 0.4-1.0 Hz (P < or = 0.05). Magnetic recording appears to offer significant advantages for investigation of beat-to-beat fetal heart rate throughout the latter stages of pregnancy.

Adult↗