Neuroscience at HOSS

Scroll down to find information for:

EEG
MEG
fNIRS
fMRI

EEG (Electroencephalography)

Electroencephalography uses scalp electrodes to measure electrical potentials generated by synchronised postsynaptic activity in cortical neurons. EEG offers an excellent temporal resolution (milliseconds) is relatively cheap and portable. Disadvantages of EEG are its poor spatial resolution and high susceptibity to artefacts (muscle, eye movement).

Elektroencefalografi använder elektroder placerade på skalpen för att mäta elektriska potentialer som genereras av synkroniserad postsynaptisk aktivitet i kortikala nervceller. EEG erbjuder en utmärkt temporal upplösning (millisekunder), är relativt billigt och portabelt. Nackdelar med EEG är dess låga spatiala upplösning och känslighet för artefakter (muskler, ögonrörelser).

EEG Teaching

We use the Geodesic nets for teaching and demonstration purposes. Our lab has an electrically shielded and soundproofed room where we can record brain activity.

EEG Research

For research, we are soon going to use the BioSemi 64 channel system with active electrodes.

To design and plan an EEG study

Knowledge of Python and/or Matlab will be necessary for analysing the data. Some self-learning resources can be found here - Fieldtrip Toolbox, MNE Python
Design your experiment in PsychoPy
Pilot your experiment
You will need to have an approval from Etikprövningsmyndigheten.

If you have questions about setting up your first EEG study, the HOSS Lab members who can help are Carine Signoret and Marta Topor.

Open Science Practices for EEG Research

Open EEG Data

You can access many already available open EEG datasets from Open Neuro.
If you plan to share your own datasets:

make sure that participants have given consent to having their EEG recording shared openly
make sure that the dataset follows the Brain Imaging Data Stracture (BIDS)
follow the COBIDAS best practices for data analysis and sharing

Preregistration and registered reports

The OSF has recently implemented a specific preregistration form for EEG and ERP studies.
You can also preregister your study on the OSF and follow the standard preregistration form or upload a document with research plans, if the avaiable template does not meet your needs.

You can submit a registered report to a number of neuroscience journals, for example, Cortex, European Journal of Neuroscience or Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. You can check the full list of journals on the OSF.
EEG manuscritpts are also welcome at PCI Registered Reports.

MEG (Magnetoencephalography)

Magnetoencephalography uses sensors to measure the tiny magnetic fields generated by the same postsynaptic currents as EEG. MEG offers a better spatial resolution than EEG while retaining excellent temporal resolution and the signal is less distorted by the skull and scalp. Traditional MEG is very expensive, requires magnetic shielding and is not portable. New Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM)-based systems are wearable and allow more natural movement.

Magnetoencefalografi använder sensorer för att mäta de svaga magnetfält som genereras av samma postsynaptiska strömmar som EEG. MEG erbjuder bättre spatial upplösning än EEG med bibehållen utmärkt temporal upplösning, och signalen störs i mindre utsträckning av skallen och skalpen. Traditionell MEG är mycket dyr, kräver magnetisk avskärmning och är inte portabel. Nya OPM-baserade system (Optically Pumped Magnetometer) är bärbara och möjliggör mer naturlig rörelse.

At HOSS, we do not have our own MEG system, but we collaborate with NatMEG at Karolinska Institutet to arrange data collection with their highly innovative OPM-based system.

To design and plan a study at NatMEG

Make sure that you have sufficient budget for an MEG study (one hour of testing costs around 3k SEK).
Knowledge of Python and/or Matlab will be necessary for analysing the data (NatMEG organises a great PhD course on data analysis during the spring term).
Design your experiment in PsychoPy or Presentation (NatMEG offers support with presentation coding: https://k-cir.github.io/cir-wiki/natmeg/presentation/01_Presentation/).
You will need to arrange a piloting and set up time with the team at NatMEG. You can also consider applying for a time grant to cover the costs of piloting (https://natmeg.se/services/time-grants.html).
You will need to complete the MEG driving license course (regularly offered).
You will need to have an approval from Etikprövningsmyndigheten.
All data collection sessions require two researchers to be present. NatMEG offers measurement assistance and full recording service for an added cost.

If you have questions about setting up your first MEG study, the HOSS Lab members who can help are Carine Signoret and Marta Topor. You can also contact Christoph at NatMEG directly christoph@natmeg.se.

Open Science Practices for MEG Research

Open MEG Data

You can access many already available open MEG datasets from Open Neuro.
If you plan to share your own datasets:

make sure that participants have given consent to having their MEG recording shared openly
make sure that the dataset follows the Brain Imaging Data Stracture (BIDS)
follow the COBIDAS best practices for data analysis and sharing

Preregistration and registered reports

You can preregister your study on the OSF and follow the standard preregistration form or upload a document with research plans, if the avaiable templates do not meet your needs. To guide your preregistration, follow best practices described in the COBIDAS preprint.
You can submit a registered report to a number of neuroscience journals, for example, Cortex, European Journal of Neuroscience or Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. You can check the full list of journals on the OSF.
MEG manuscripts are also welcome at PCI Registered Reports.

fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy)

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy uses optodes (light emitters and detectors) placed on the scalp to measure changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, an indirect measure of neural activity (comparable with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, but optical). fNIRS is more portable and robust to movement than EEG and therefore suitable for naturalistic settings and tasks that require movement. The temporal and spatial resolution is poor, compared to EEG/MEG and the method is limited to cortical regions directly accessible beneath the skull.

Funktionell nära-infraröd spektroskopi (fNIRS) använder optoder (ljusemittorer och detektorer) placerade på skalpen för att mäta förändringar i syresatt och desyresatt hemoglobin — ett indirekt mått på neural aktivitet (jämförbart med funktionell magnetresonanstomografi/fMRI, men optiskt). fNIRS är mer portabelt och robust mot rörelse än EEG och lämpar sig därför för naturalistiska miljöer och uppgifter som kräver rörelse. Den temporala och spatiala upplösningen är låg jämfört med EEG och MEG, och metoden är begränsad till kortikala regioner nära skalpen.

We are in the process of acquiring an fNIRS system. Pictures and information will be uploaded soon :)

Open Science Practices for fNIRS Research

Open fNIRS Data

You can access many already available open fNIRS datasets from Open Neuro.
If you plan to share your own datasets:

make sure that participants have given consent to having their fNIRS recording shared openly
make sure that the dataset follows the Brain Imaging Data Stracture (BIDS)

Preregistration and registered reports

You can preregister your study on the OSF and follow the standard preregistration form or upload a document with research plans, if the avaiable templates do not meet your needs. To guide your preregistration, follow best practices described in Yücel et al., 2021.
Further details on methodological quality can be found in this collection of papers.

You can submit a registered report to a number of neuroscience journals, for example, Cortex, European Journal of Neuroscience or Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. You can check the full list of journals here the OSF.
fNIRS manuscripts are also welcome at PCI Registered Reports.

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygenation (the BOLD signal) associated with neuronal activity. fMRI offers excellent spatial resolution (millimetres) and is non-invasive, allowing precise localisation of brain activity. Disadvantages of fMRI include relatively poor temporal resolution (seconds) due to the delayed haemodynamic response, as well as restricted movement during scanning and low comfort for the participant.

Funktionell magnetresonanstomografi (fMRI) mäter hjärnaktivitet genom att registrera förändringar i blodflöde och syresättning (BOLD-signalen) kopplade till neuronal aktivitet. fMRI har mycket god spatial upplösning (millimeter) och är icke-invasiv, vilket möjliggör noggrann lokalisering av hjärnaktivitet. Nackdelar med fMRI är relativt låg temporal upplösning (sekunder) på grund av den fördröjda hemodynamiska responsen, samt att rörelse är begränsad under skanningen och komforten för deltagaren är låg.

We do not have our own scanner at HOSS, but it’s possible to collaborate with LiU’s Centre for Medical Imaging and Visualisation (CMIV) or the national infrastructure Stockholm University Brain Imaging Centre (SUBIC).

To design and plan an fMRI study

Make sure that you have sufficient budget for an fMRI study
Some knowledge of Matlab or R will be necessary for analysing the data
Design your experiment in PsychoPy or Presentation
You will need to arrange a piloting and set up time with the team at the scanner.
You will need to complete the MR driving license course (regularly offered).
You will need to have an approval from Etikprövningsmyndigheten.
All data collection sessions require two researchers to be present.

If you have questions about setting up your first fMRI study, the HOSS Lab member who can help is Mikael Skagenholt.

Open Science Practices for fMRI Research

Open fMRI Data

You can access many already available open fMRI datasets from Open Neuro.
If you plan to share your own datasets:

make sure that participants have given consent to having their fMRI recording shared openly
make sure that the dataset follows the Brain Imaging Data Stracture (BIDS)

Preregistration and registered reports

You can preregister your study on the OSF and follow the standard preregistration form or upload a document with research plans, if the avaiable templates do not meet your needs. To guide your preregistration, follow this preregistration template Frauke et al., 2021.
Further details on methodological quality can be found in this reporting template.

You can submit a registered report to a number of neuroscience journals, for example, Cortex, European Journal of Neuroscience or Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. You can check the full list of journals on the OSF.
fMRI manuscripts are also welcome at PCI Registered Reports.

Examples of approved Stage 1 Registered Reports from LiU:

The effect of signal quality on speech and sign language perception. Cristina Tobias Figuerola, Emil Holmer, Josefine Andin, Carine Signoret. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Examples of published Stage 2 Registered Reports from LiU

Arithmetic in the signing brain: Differences and similarities in arithmetic processing between deaf signers and hearing non-signers Josefine Andin, Åsa Elwér, Elina Mäki-Torkko, Journal of Neuroscience Research (corresponding Stage 1)