Using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to detect cerebellar training signals

The cerebellum is only about 10% of the volume of the brain but contains more than half of all nerve cells. We know little about its function in humans because non-invasive brain imaging methods all have limitations and there is no clinical therapy requiring recordings to be made directly from it. A timely opportunity has now arisen with the development of a new form of sensor (optically pumped magnetometers) that is sensitive enough to measure activity in this part of the brain. We aim to develop the use of these sensors to record electrophysiological signals from the human cerebellum, confirm the sources of these signals, and pilot methods to record during the learning of new motor and cognitive skills.. This work will advance our understanding of cerebellar physiology, with impact on many cerebellar disorders (developmental and degeneration disorders; stroke; cancer surgery; trauma; alcoholism etc.).