Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026
Best Current Practice for Obtaining High Quality EEG Data During Simultaneous fMRI
Published on: June 3, 2013
A real-time method to reduce ballistocardiogram artifacts from EEG during fMRI based on optimal basis sets (OBS)
Xia Wu1, Tong Wu2, Zhichao Zhan3
1College of Information Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 100088 Beijing, China.
A new real-time Optimal Basis Sets (rtOBS) method effectively removes ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifacts from simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. This technique enables reliable real-time brain activity monitoring and neurofeedback applications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offer high temporal and spatial resolution for brain activity measurement.
- Real-time analysis is crucial for neurofeedback and brain monitoring but is hindered by ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifacts in EEG signals due to MRI-induced electrode motion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel real-time technique, rtOBS, for removing ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifacts during simultaneous EEG-fMRI acquisition.
- To enable reliable moment-to-moment artifact removal for improved real-time EEG-fMRI analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a real-time Optimal Basis Sets (rtOBS) method incorporating real-time electrocardiogram R-peak detection and a sliding window OBS approach.
- Applied the rtOBS technique to both simulated and real simultaneous EEG-fMRI data from eight healthy subjects.
Main Results:
- The rtOBS technique demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness in removing BCG artifacts from simulated data.
- Real EEG-fMRI data analysis confirmed the efficacy of rtOBS in both time and frequency domains.
- rtOBS showed advantages over real-time averaged artifact subtraction (rtAAS) in real-time BCG artifact removal.
Conclusions:
- A novel real-time Optimal Basis Sets (rtOBS) technique was successfully developed and validated for BCG artifact removal.
- The rtOBS method is effective for real-time artifact correction in simultaneous EEG-fMRI data.
- This advancement facilitates more reliable real-time brain activity monitoring and neurofeedback.
