Infant Functional Activation Studies

Near infrared functional imaging offers the possibility of observing the working brain non-invasively in a relaxed environment, without strict movement or position restrictions for the subject under observation. This is a crucial advantage over other brain imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) for studies in infants. It is particularly important for coginitive neurodevelopmental studies, where researchers study the development of the infant brain through the neonatal period into childhood [1].

We have been working in collaboration with the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (the Babylab) at Birkbeck College London in designing a probe suitable for multi-channel optical topography data collection in young infant studies. Signals recorded in infant functional activation studies are inevitably riddled with movement artefacts. In order to automatically detect and treat these, we have developed a motion sensor compatible with our infant probet and optical topography system.

These developments have enabled us to carry out a range of neurodevelopmental studies in young infants.

• Infant probe development

• Infant functional activation studies

• Motion sensor

Reference

[1] Johnson, M. (2001) Functional brain development in humans. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2, 475-483.