Estimation Method on Multiple Sources of MEG Based on the Columnar Structure of the Cerebral Cortex

An estimation method for multiple sources of magnetoencephalogram is proposed. In the proposed method, the assumed dipoles are arranged on and oriented perpendicular to the surface of the cerebral cortex based on the hypothesis of the functional columnar structure. Since the positions and orientations of the assumed dipoles are given beforehand, the magnetic fields that originate from the assumed dipoles are predictable. Using a coefficient of determination between the predicted and measured magnetic fields as a criterion, the electric sources of the N20m component of the somatosensory evoke fields when the central nerves of the wrists are stimulated bilaterally and the N100m component of the auditory evoked fields are localized. The positions of the dipoles are close to those localized by the moving dipole method.