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Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Exploring Cognitive Functions in Babies, Children & Adults with Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: July 28, 2009
Correlating functional near-infrared spectroscopy with underlying cortical regions of 0-, 1-, and 2-year-olds using
Lin Cai1, Eiji Okada1, Yasuyo Minagawa2
1Keio University, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Yokohama, Japan.
Insights
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) studies in infants benefit from understanding scalp-cortex correlation (SCC). This research reveals age-specific SCC patterns and optimal source-detector distances for infant brain development analysis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is crucial for studying infant brain development.
- Establishing scalp-cortex correlation (SCC) is essential for accurate fNIRS measurements in early childhood.
- Understanding age-specific optical properties of infant heads is vital for optimizing fNIRS data interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optics-based scalp-cortex correlation (SCC) in infants aged 0, 1, and 2 years.
- To identify the optimal source-detector (SD) distance for fNIRS measurements in infants.
- To provide reference data for SCC and suitable SD distances in early childhood development studies.
Main Methods:
- Light propagation analysis using age-specific head models.
- Calculation of SCC metrics including number of corresponding brain regions, selectivity, and sensitivity of the most likely corresponding brain region (MLCBR).
- Assessment of SD distances (10-30 mm) based on MLCBR selectivity and sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Significant age-related changes in SCC metrics were observed.
- The number of corresponding brain regions was larger in 0-year-olds compared to 1- and 2-year-olds.
- Optimal SD distance for balancing sensitivity and selectivity was determined to be 15-25 mm for infants up to 2 years.
Conclusions:
- Optics-based SCC analysis provides valuable insights for designing and interpreting pediatric fNIRS studies.
- A source-detector distance between 15 and 25 mm is recommended for fNIRS applications in the first two years of life.
- This study offers foundational data for advancing neurodevelopmental research using fNIRS in infants.
Abstract:
Significance: The establishment of a light propagation analysis-based scalp-cortex correlation (SCC) between the scalp location of the source-detector (SD) pair and brain regions is essential for measuring functional brain development in the first 2 years of life using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Aim: We aimed to reveal the optics-based SCC of 0-, 1-, and 2-year-olds (yo) and the suitable SD distance for this age period. Approach: Light propagation analyses using age-appropriate head models were conducted on SD pairs at 10-10 fiducial points on the scalp to obtain optics-based SCC and its metrics: the number of corresponding brain regions ( ), selectivity and sensitivity of the most likely corresponding brain region (MLCBR), and consistency of the MLCBR across developmental ages. Moreover, we assessed the suitable SD distances for 0-, 1-, and 2-yo by simultaneously considering the selectivity and sensitivity of the MLCBR. Results: Age-related changes in the SCC metrics were observed. For instance, the of 0-yo was larger than that of 1- and 2-yo. Conversely, the selectivity of 0-yo was lower than that of 1- and 2-yo. The sensitivity of 1-yo was higher than that of 0-yo at 15- to 30-mm SD distances and higher than that of 2-yo at 10-mm SD distance. Notably, the MLCBR of the fiducial points around the longitudinal fissure was inconsistent across age groups. An SD distance between 15 and 25 mm was found to be appropriate for satisfying both sensitivity and selectivity requirements. In addition, this work provides reference tables of optics-based SCC for 0-, 1-, and 2-yo. Conclusions: Optics-based SCC will be informative in designing and explaining child developmental studies using fNIRS. The suitable SD distances were between 15 and 25 mm for the first 2 years of life.
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