BESA Research

EEG/MEG data analysis including source imaging and connectivity

Highlights

  • EEG and MEG raw data import and preprocessing 
  • ERP analysis and averaging 
  • Time-frequency and connectivity analysis in source and sensor space 
  • Interactive source analysis and 3D source imaging
  • Simultaneous EEG-fMRI analysis 
  • Batch-guided study analysis

Description

BESA Research is a comprehensive software package for complete EEG and MEG data analysis. A highly versatile and user-friendly Microsoft® Windows® program, it provides optimized tools and scripts to preprocess raw or averaged data for source analysis and connectivity analysis. BESA Research provides a variety of source analysis algorithms and several age-appropriate standardized realistic head models (FEM), and allows for fast and easy hypothesis testing.

The advanced tools provided by BESA Research cover a variety of analysis steps, including raw data import, remontaging, artifact correction, averaging, mapping, peak detection, source analysis, 3D source imaging in the brain volume (CLARA, LORETA, sLORETA, and others) and on the brain surface (Cortical CLARA, Cortical LORETA, minimum norm). Further tools include batch scripting, time-frequency analysis, and connectivity analysis in source or sensor space. Typical analysis pipelines are simultaneous EEG-fMRI imaging, advanced pattern search, and source or connectivity analysis for normal or pathological brain activity, integrated with MRI and fMRI. 

Additional features added in recent versions include Bayesian source imaging, brain atlases, a multitude of beamformer approaches, and effective connectivity methods. These features all blend in with the previously available functionalities such as advanced artifact correction or graphical virtual sensor definition.

At multiple stages of the workflow of EEG and MEG data analysis, BESA Research allows users to send processed data and intermediate or final results to MATLAB® (using the libeng library, which utilizes the COM interface). This data is made available in MATLAB as structure arrays. The purpose is to allow users to combine their own data analysis steps with analysis steps done in BESA Research. The functionality is also fully batch capable; BESA Research batch jobs can also call MATLAB commands directly via the interface, allowing a fully automated analysis pipeline.

BESA offers a number of MATLAB scripts to facilitate the exchange of information, and extend the BESA analysis options to MATLAB. These scripts are available for free download from the BESA website. 

A typical use case is the preprocessing of M/EEG data in BESA Research to create a data-informed spatial filter. The spatially filtered data is then sent to MATLAB via the interface and further analyzed in specialized tools (e.g. FieldTrip, EEGLab) or self-written scripts. In another usage scenario, brain source activation patterns are calculated in BESA Research from M/EEG data, and sent to MATLAB via the interface in order to apply clustering or graph theory algorithms.

BESA Research software is mainly used in institutes performing brain research (clinical and neuroscience applications). Typical end users are postdocs and other researchers in universities or other research institutes worldwide.

BESA GmbH

Freihamer Str. 18
Gräfelfing, 82166
GERMANY
Tel: +49 89 809968
Fax: +49 89 809967
info@besa.de
https://www.besa.de/

Required Products

Platforms

  • Windows

Support

  • Consulting
  • E-mail
  • Telephone

Product Type

  • Data Analysis Tools

Tasks

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision

Industries

  • Biotech and Pharmaceutical
  • Neuroscience