Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to study the early developing brain: future directions and new challenges

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a vital neuroimaging technique for studying infant brain development (0-2 years).
• The field has accumulated nearly 25 years of research, presenting both challenges and opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the current state of developmental fNIRS research.
• To outline future trends and perspectives in infant brain imaging using fNIRS.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advances in fNIRS brain imaging for infants.
• Discussion of methodological, technological, data processing, and statistical innovations.
• Identification of major trends and challenges in the field.

Main Results:

• Key trends include 'in-the-wild' fNIRS applications, wearable hardware, individual variation assessment, and longitudinal designs.
• Statistical advances encompass resting-state networks, machine learning, and reproducibility.
• Collaborative studies and standardization are crucial for future progress.

Conclusions:

• Developmental fNIRS is rapidly evolving with technological and analytical advancements.
• Future research will likely focus on real-world applications, personalized development trajectories, and large-scale collaborative efforts.
• Standardization and data sharing are essential for advancing the field.