A Review of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Studies of Motor and Cognitive Function in Preterm Infants
Quan Wang1,2,3, Guang-Pu Zhu4,5,6, Li Yi7
1Key Laboratory of Spectral Imaging Technology, Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710119, China. wangquan@opt.ac.cn.
Insights
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) offers a portable way to screen preterm infants for neurodevelopmental disorders. This brain imaging technique links hemodynamic activity to brain function development in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Preterm infants face heightened risks of brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Early screening of motor and cognitive functions is crucial for assessing developmental trajectories in these infants.
- Identifying deficits early can guide timely interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review scientific studies utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in preterm infants.
- To explore fNIRS applications in assessing motor performance, speech perception, and facial recognition.
- To highlight fNIRS's role in understanding brain function development in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of peer-reviewed, scientific fNIRS studies.
- Focus on studies involving preterm infants and their motor or cognitive tasks.
- Analysis of fNIRS data on cerebral hemodynamics and hemoglobin changes.
Main Results:
- fNIRS is a portable, low-cost brain imaging technology suitable for diverse settings.
- Studies show distinct hemoglobin change patterns during behavioral tasks in preterm infants.
- fNIRS establishes a connection between hemodynamic activity and developing brain functions.
Conclusions:
- fNIRS aids in understanding the developmental mechanisms of brain function in preterm infants.
- It facilitates assessment in less-restricted environments, promoting large-scale use.
- This technology is vital for early detection and management of neurodevelopmental issues.
Abstract:
Preterm infants are vulnerable to brain injuries, and have a greater chance of experiencing neurodevelopmental disorders throughout development. Early screening for motor and cognitive functions is critical to assessing the developmental trajectory in preterm infants, especially those who may have motor or cognitive deficits. The brain imaging technology functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a portable and low-cost method of assessing cerebral hemodynamics, making it suitable for large-scale use even in remote and underdeveloped areas. In this article, we review peer-reviewed, scientific fNIRS studies of motor performance, speech perception, and facial recognition in preterm infants. fNIRS provides a link between hemodynamic activity and the development of brain functions in preterm infants. Research using fNIRS has shown different patterns of hemoglobin change during some behavioral tasks in early infancy. fNIRS helps to promote our understanding of the developmental mechanisms of brain function in preterm infants when performing motor or cognitive tasks in a less-restricted environment.
