TMagnetoencephalography (MEG) is based on detection of tiny magnetic fields produced by electrical activity within the brain. MEG scanners require superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) bathed in a liquid Helium cooling unit to detect and amplify magnetic fields generated by neurons, in the space above the scalp. There is currently severe global Helium shortage making researchers requiring liquid Helium shut down their equipment. At Ulster University's Northern Ireland Functional Brain Mapping (NIFBM) facility, the supplier (BOC) has occasionally been unable to source the helium we require - forcing us to temporarily shut down the MEG system resulting in interruption of research and substantial restart costs (up to Euro 19k). We propose to purchase MEGIN's internal helium recycler (IHR), as it creates a closed-cycle supercooling system, requiring no weekly Helium refills, relieving research staff and reducing risks associated with storing Helium cylinders, i.e., explosion, oxygen depletion on leakage and 'ice burn' during transfer. MEGIN's IHR upgrade is the only Helium recycler technology capable of offering zero loss Helium recycling and integrate fully with the medical grade Triux MEG system. MEG functional brain mapping is used to study information processing in the brain in order to understand the neural basis of developmental disorders, psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, memory, attention, emotion, language and social cognition. It is also employed to locate epileptogenic zone(s) and to perform pre-surgical mapping of visual, auditory, somatosensory and motor cortices, and language functional areas of epilepsy patients going forward for surgical treatment. NIFBM is the only such facility in Ireland. An IHR upgrade eliminates the dependence on frequent (unreliable) deliveries of Helium. Consequently, research programmes can be planned well in advance and managed regularly. This is particularly important when dealing with vulnerable groups, such as stroke victims and patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD). Even a couple of weeks delay can cause problems for the study design and moreover, these participants require assistance to attend, thus enhancing the need for planning.

Hospital neurology and neurophysiology services are increasingly overwhelmed. With a growing and ageing population, the incidence of many brain conditions (such as dementia and epilepsy) are rapidly increasing. Compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are now over 10,000 people in the UK waiting more than a year for an appointment with a neurologist. Things must change! The purpose of our Network is to address these challenges through the development of new technologies that enable diagnosis and management in the community. These services could be provided in a community diagnostic hub, by high-street healthcare professionals, in a GP surgery, in a mobile unit or even in the home environment. Our focus will be on new digital solutions built around neural interfacing, signal processing, machine learning and mathematical modelling. We will work closely with partners developing technologies for measuring brain, eye, spinal, and peripheral nerve activity using wearable technology and minimally invasive devices. Collectively, this will contribute to a significant increase in capacity that will augment the expertise provided in neurology services. To achieve this, we will build a network of partners with backgrounds spanning academia, industry, hospitals and GP surgeries, charities and policy makers. Crucially we will ensure that people with lived experience of neurological conditions are at the heart of our network. Their experience will inform debate and shape our research priorities, ensuring feasibility and acceptability of emerging technologies. We will empower people from different backgrounds and career stages to work together on challenging problems whose solutions will lead to societal benefit. To enable this we plan a suite of activities built around the principles of connect, communicate and collaborate. To connect people we will build a website and social media presence, create a public representation group and build new parnterships. We will establish a mentorship scheme and post opportunities for people at different career stages to undertake secondments with partner organisations. To facilitate communication, we will engage with stakeholders including the public, people with neurological conditions, healthcare providers and policy makers. We will host workshops on emerging areas of interest, as well as an annual conference to celebrate findings from across the network. To enable collaboration we will host events including stake-holder led study groups, sandpits and research incubators: where teams of partners will work collaboratively in a facilitated environment, conducting feasibility studies over 6-9 months.