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Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Functional Activation Studies

Can NIRS Demonstrate Cortical Activation?

  • Chapter
Optical Imaging of Brain Function and Metabolism 2

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 413))

Abstract

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has recently been used in functional activation studies as a non-invasive tool to monitor changes in cerebral oxygenation in human adults1–6. If NIRS is to establish its place in functional brain research it must be proven that the changes monitored reflect the activation state of the cortex in response to a stimulus. This article gives an overview of the studies performed. On the basis of the reported findings and results from two studies by our own group7,8 a description of the typical NIRS response pattern over an activated cortical area is attempted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Charité Berlin, Humboldt-University, 10098, Berlin, Germany

    Hellmuth Obrig & Arno Villringer

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  1. Hellmuth Obrig
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  2. Arno Villringer
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  1. Universitätsklinikum Charité, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Arno Villringer  & Ulrich Dirnagl  & 

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Obrig, H., Villringer, A. (1997). Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Functional Activation Studies. In: Villringer, A., Dirnagl, U. (eds) Optical Imaging of Brain Function and Metabolism 2. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 413. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0056-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0056-2_13

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