A portable functional imaging instrument for psychology research based on near-infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

To aid psychology researches on the function of the prefrontal cortex, a 16-channel brain functional imaging instrument based on near-infrared spectroscopy is developed. The probe of the instrument, covering a detection area of 15 cm × 4.4 cm of the prefrontal cortex, is made flexible and is easy to fix to the forehead. By employing multi-wavelength LEDs as light sources, using integrated detectors and choosing a USB-interface-based data acquisition device, the whole system is portable and convenient to use, which is good for psychological experiments. The system software is developed using Visual C++ 6.0, which controls the imaging process, measurement data plotting and storage. The maximal temporal resolution is about 100 ms. Noise and long-term drift test are given. The Valsalva maneuver experiment is used to validate the reliability of the instrument for monitoring hemodynamic changes.

Key words： near-infrared spectroscopy; temporal resolution; functional brain activity; prefrontal cortex

References

[1] SteinmetzH, FurstG, MeyerB U. Craniocerebral topography within the international 10–20 system. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiol ogy, 1989, 72(6): 499–506 10.1016/0013-4694(89)90227-7
[2] OgawaS, LeeT M, KayA R, . Brain magnetic resonance imaging with contrast dependent on blood oxygenation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 1990, 87(24): 9868–9872 10.1073/pnas.87.24.9868
[3] HeegerD J, RessD. What does fMRI tell us about neuronal activity. Nature Reviews Neuroscience , 2002, 3(2): 142–151 10.1038/nrn730
[4] VillringerA, ChanceB. Non-invasive optical spectroscopy and imaging of human brain function. Trends in Neurosciences , 1997, 20(10): 435–442 10.1016/S0166-2236(97)01132-6
[5] FranceschiniM A, FantiniS, ThompsonJ H, . Hemodynamic evoked response of the sensorimotor cortex measured noninvasively with near-infrared optical imaging. Psychophysiology , 2003, 40(4): 548–560 10.1111/1469-8986.00057
[6] J?bsisF F. Noninvasive, infrared monitoring of cerebral and myocardial oxygen sufficiency and circulatory parameters. Science , 1977, 198(4323): 1264–1267 10.1126/science.929199
[7] HeddenJ C, WongK S. Time-resolved optical tomography. Applied Optics , 1993, 32(4): 372–380
[8] ChanceB, KangK A, HeL, . Precision localization of hidden absorbers in body tissues with phased-array optical systems. Review of Scientific Instruments , 1996, 67(12): 4324–4332 10.1063/1.1147534
[9] WariarR, GaffkeJ N, HallerR G, . A modular NIRS system for clinical measurement of impaired skeletal muscle oxygenation. Journal of Applied Physiology , 2000, 88(1): 315–325
[10] MeteaM R, NewmanE A. Glial cells dilate and constrict blood vessels: a mechanism of neurovascular coupling. The Journal of Neuroscience , 2006, 26(11): 2862–2870 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4048-05.2006
[11] HazekiO, TamuraM. Quantitative analysis of hemoglobin oxygenation state of rat brain in situ by near-infrared spectrophotometry. Journal of Applied Physiology , 1988, 64(2): 796–802
[12] ShigaT, YamamotoK, TanabeK, . Study of an algorithm based on model experiments and diffusion theory for a portable tissue oximeter. Journal of Biomedical Optics , 1997, 2(2): 154–161 10.1117/12.268963
[13] LinY, LechG, NiokaS, . Noninvasive, low-noise, fast imaging of blood volume and deoxygenation changes in muscles using light-emitting diode continuous-wave imager. Review of Scientific Instruments , 2002, 73(8): 3065–3074 10.1063/1.1485779
[14] WangQiang, ZhangZhengguo, LuoZhicheng. Noninvasive assessment of the dynamic cerebrovascular regulation. Chinese Journal of Biomedical Engineering , 2002, 21(6): 563–567 (in Chinese)
[15] TiecksF P, DouvilleC, ByrdS, . Evaluation of impaired cerebral autoregulation by the Valsalva maneuver. Stroke , 1996, 27(7): 1177–1182