RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Magnetoencephalography as a neuro-imaging method in chronic dyspnoea: A feasibility study
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P670
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Miriam Johnson
A1 Michael Simpson
A1 Rebecca Millman
A1 Gary Green
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P670.abstract
AB Background: Neuroimaging in chronic dyspnoea is challenging.Aim: Feasibility of MEG in chronic dyspnoeaMethods: An exploratory cohort had chronic respiratory disease (mMRC dyspnoea 3,4). Patients performed seated leg exercise. Baseline data: cause/duration/intensity of dyspnoea. Four MEG scans were conducted: 1) at rest (5 mins), 2) post exercise dyspnoea recovery (10 mins); 1+2 repeated after an hour. Recovery scans were conducted +/- facial airflow in random order. Patients rated dyspnoea intensity (0-10 NRS) at baseline, maximal exertion and every minute during recovery. A structural MRI scan was conducted. Data was compared with banked data from normal volunteers.Results: 7/8 patients(mean age=62;[47-83]; 4 males; median mMRC=4) completed all scans except one MRI.Maximum dyspnoea intensity was induced by 5 minutes, and induced to the same level for repeat scans (median=8; IQR=7-8). All recovered to baseline by 10 minutes.Virtual Electrodes (VEs)(time-series estimates at specified points)were generated from the first and last 3 minutes of post-exercise data and the time/frequency profile plotted. VEs were based on dyspnoea pathway location estimates: prefrontal cortex; amygdala; anterior cingulate cortex; anterior insula; post and precentral gyrus. Predominant activity frequencies were in the beta (13-30 Hz) and gamma (30-80 Hz) bands. Preliminary beamformer-source localisation in individuals shows differences in areas of activity: post-exercise/on recovery; with/without airflow; between patients/normal volunteers at rest.Conclusions: MEG is a feasible, potentially useful method to investigate chronic dyspnoea, able to identify neural activity related to changes in dyspnoea.