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A NIRS-fMRI study of resting state network
Shuntaro Sasai1, Fumitaka Homae, Hama Watanabe
1Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. sasai@p.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Neuroimage
|June 21, 2012
Summary
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) signals during rest correlate with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals, reflecting resting state networks (RSNs). This validates NIRS for RSNs, especially in fMRI-unsuitable populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) defines resting state networks (RSNs) using fMRI.
- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) also shows temporal correlations between brain regions.
- The relationship between NIRS and fMRI signals during resting state remains unclear, especially for localized RSNs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if NIRS signals during rest correlate with regional fMRI signals.
- To determine if NIRS can characterize resting state networks (RSNs).
- To assess NIRS as a viable alternative to fMRI for RSN studies.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous recording of NIRS and fMRI data during resting state.
- NIRS signals acquired over frontal, temporal, and occipital cortices.
- Cross-correlation analysis between NIRS and adjacent/distant fMRI signals to identify RSNs.
Main Results:
- NIRS signals showed significant cross-correlation with fMRI signals in adjacent brain regions.
- Highly correlated fMRI voxels were predominantly within brain tissues.
- NIRS signals correlated with fMRI signals in distant brain regions, consistent with known RSNs (dorsal attention, fronto-parietal control, default mode).
Conclusions:
- Resting state NIRS signals reflect spontaneous hemodynamic fluctuations linked to cortical activity.
- NIRS signals contain information characterizing RSNs, similar to fMRI.
- NIRS offers a practical, less demanding alternative for RSN examination, particularly for clinical populations.
