Neuromagnetic studies of somatosensory system: principles and examples

A review is given about the basic principles of neuromagnetic recordings and somatically evoked magnetic fields with examples from the authors' own work. MEG provides good spatial resolution for activity in the fissural cortex. It has, for example, allowed differentiation of current sources in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices. Some cortical areas activated by painful stimuli have also been localized by means of MEG.