Analysis of MEG Data in SPM5

SPM5 can perform basic preprocessing of MEG data and source reconstruction, including ECD and variants of L2-norm imaging solutions. It's weaknesses are: i) ECD is limited (e.g, the Neuromag Xfit program is more flexible), ii) it's graphics are slow. It's strengths are: i) well integrated with MRI and fMRI analysis (eg, segmentation), ii) in Matlab, so relatively easy to understand and extend, iii) includes advanced statistical methods (e.g, for multiple comparisons across space or time), and novel variants of the L2-norm approach to the inverse problem, iv) includes group-based analysis (eg in MNI/Talairach space).

For an introduction, see these slides: attachment:SPM5Slides.ppt

First, you will need to convert your *.FIF files into SPM format. For those using SPM5 at the CBU, this is now an option on the SPM5 GUI "convert" button (when in "EEG" mode) (utilising the function spm_eeg_rdata_FIF306.m in cbu_updates). To be continued...