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Simultaneous Data Collection of fMRI and fNIRS Measurements Using a Whole-Head Optode Array and Short-Distance Channels
Published on: October 20, 2023
Localization of hemodynamic responses to simple visual stimulation: an fNIRS study
Sobanawartiny Wijeakumar1, Uma Shahani, William A Simpson
1Glasgow Caledonian University, Department of Vision Sciences, Glasgow, United Kingdom. swijea11@gcal.ac.uk
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 20, 2012
Summary
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) revealed occipito-parietal cortex activation patterns in response to checkerboard stimuli. Hemoglobin changes mapped brain tissue activation, with pattern-reversal stimulation showing the most significant response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique.
- Hemodynamic responses, measured by changes in hemoglobin concentrations, reflect neural activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate occipito-parietal cortical activation using fNIRS.
- To map the distribution of oxyhemoglobin (HbO), deoxyhemoglobin (Hb), and total hemoglobin (THb) concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Frequency Domain Multi-Distance oximeter to record absolute chromophore concentrations.
- Compared responses to static, pattern reversal, and ON/OFF stimulation modes.
- Investigated 15 locations across 10 participants, focusing on occipito-parietal sites.
Main Results:
- Pattern-reversal stimulation elicited the greatest HbO increase, primarily at O1 and O2 locations.
- Activation diminished over posterior parietal regions and was smaller at the midline (Oz) compared to O1/O2.
- Observed changes in Hb were less pronounced than HbO changes.
- Hemoglobin concentration changes accurately reflected the location of activated brain tissue.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the spatial distribution of hemodynamic responses using absolute hemoglobin chromophore values.
- Confirmed the effectiveness of checkerboard stimuli for mapping cortical activation.

