Validating a new methodology for optical probe design and image registration in fNIRS studies

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a key neuroimaging technique for detecting hemodynamic changes.
• Optimizing probe geometry is crucial for accurate fNIRS data acquisition.
• Existing methods lack scalability and adaptability for diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a processing pipeline for creating optimized and scalable fNIRS probe geometries.
• To ensure accurate targeting of brain regions of interest (ROIs) for fNIRS recordings.
• To adapt probe geometry creation for both adult and pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• A processing pipeline was developed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ROIs.
• Probe geometry was digitized and projected onto generic atlases and subject-specific MRI scans.
• The pipeline was validated across adult and child head sizes and for different cognitive functions.

Main Results:

• The pipeline successfully generated optimized probe geometries for adult and child heads.
• High intersection rates between target ROIs and fNIRS channels were achieved (17/21 for adults, 19/21 for children).
• Subject-specific MRI segmentation is recommended for pediatric fNIRS data registration.

Conclusions:

• The developed processing pipeline offers a scalable and validated method for fNIRS probe design.
• The pipeline facilitates accurate neuroimaging across different age groups and cognitive tasks.
• This approach enhances the reliability and applicability of fNIRS in research and clinical settings.