The Use of Magnetoencephalography in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Concussion Syndrome.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The main objective of this systematic review was to explore the role of magnetoencephalography (MEG) in the diagnosis, assessment, and monitoring of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-concussion syndrome (PCS). We aimed to evaluate the potential of some MEG biomarkers in detecting subtle brain abnormalities often missed by conventional imaging techniques. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using 25 studies that administered MEG to examine mTBI and PCS patients. The quality of the studies was assessed based on selection, comparability, and outcomes. Studies were analyzed for their methodology, evaluated parameters, and the clinical implications of using MEG for mTBI diagnosis. Results: MEG detected abnormal brain oscillations, including increased delta, theta, and gamma waves and disruptions in functional connectivity, particularly in the default mode and frontoparietal networks of patients suffering from mTBI. MEG consistently revealed abnormalities in mTBI patients even when structural imaging was normal. The use of MEG in monitoring recovery showed significant reductions in abnormal slow-wave activity corresponding to clinical improvements. Machine learning algorithms applied to MEG data demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing mTBI patients from healthy controls and predicting clinical outcomes. Conclusions: MEG provides a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool for mTBI and PCS by identifying subtle neurophysiological abnormalities. The high temporal resolution and the ability to assess functional brain networks make MEG a promising complement to conventional imaging. Future research should focus on integrating MEG with other neuroimaging modalities and standardizing MEG protocols for clinical use.