{{Short description|Optical technique for monitoring brain activity}} thumb|fNIRS with a Gowerlabs NTS system '''Functional near-infrared spectroscopy''' ('''fNIRS'''), sometimes referred to as NIRS or Optical Topography (OT), is an optical brain monitoring technique which uses near-infrared spectroscopy for the purpose of functional neuroimaging.<ref name="FerrariQuaresima2012">{{cite journal |last1=Ferrari |first1=Marco |last2=Quaresima |first2=Valentina |title=A brief review on the history of human functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) development and fields of application |journal=NeuroImage |date=November 2012 |volume=63 |issue=2 |pages=921–935 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.03.049 |pmid=22510258 |s2cid=18367840 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stute |first1=Katharina |last2=Gossé |first2=Louisa K. |last3=Montero-Hernandez |first3=Samuel |last4=Perkins |first4=Guy A. |last5=Yücel |first5=Meryem A. |last6=Cutini |first6=Simone |last7=Durduran |first7=Turgut |last8=Ehlis |first8=Ann-Christine |last9=Ferrari |first9=Marco |last10=Gervain |first10=Judit |last11=Mesquita |first11=Rickson C. |last12=Orihuela-Espina |first12=Felipe |last13=Quaresima |first13=Valentina |last14=Scholkmann |first14=Felix |last15=Tachtsidis |first15=Ilias |date=2025-04-18 |title=The fNIRS glossary project: a consensus-based resource for functional near-infrared spectroscopy terminology |journal=Neurophotonics |volume=12 |issue=2 |article-number=027801 |doi=10.1117/1.NPh.12.2.027801 |pmid=40256456 |pmc=12007957 |issn=2329-423X}}</ref> Using fNIRS, brain activity is measured by using near-infrared light to estimate cortical hemodynamic activity that occurs in response to neural activity. The use of fNIRS has led to advances in different fields such as cognitive neuroscience,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pinti |first1=Paola |last2=Tachtsidis |first2=Ilias |last3=Hamilton |first3=Antonia |last4=Hirsch |first4=Joy |last5=Aichelburg |first5=Clarisse |last6=Gilbert |first6=Sam |last7=Burgess |first7=Paul W. |date=2020 |title=The present and future use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for cognitive neuroscience |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |language=en |volume=1464 |issue=1 |pages=5–29 |doi=10.1111/nyas.13948 |issn=1749-6632 |pmc=6367070 |pmid=30085354 |bibcode=2020NYASA1464....5P }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cutini |first1=Simone |last2=Moro |first2=Sara Basso |last3=Bisconti |first3=Silvia |date=2012-02-01 |title=Functional near Infrared Optical Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience: An Introductory Review |journal=Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy |language=EN |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=75–92 |doi=10.1255/jnirs.969 |issn=0967-0335}}</ref> clinical applications,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Obrig |first=Hellmuth |date=2014-01-15 |title=NIRS in clinical neurology — a 'promising' tool? |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811913002954 |journal=NeuroImage |series=Celebrating 20 Years of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) |volume=85 |pages=535–546 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.03.045 |pmid=23558099 |issn=1053-8119|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ehlis |first1=Ann-Christine |last2=Schneider |first2=Sabrina |last3=Dresler |first3=Thomas |last4=Fallgatter |first4=Andreas J. |date=2014-01-15 |title=Application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in psychiatry |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811913003200 |journal=NeuroImage |series=Celebrating 20 Years of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) |volume=85 |pages=478–488 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.03.067 |pmid=23578578 |issn=1053-8119|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lange |first1=Frédéric |last2=Tachtsidis |first2=Ilias |date=2019-04-18 |title=Clinical Brain Monitoring with Time Domain NIRS: A Review and Future Perspectives |journal=Applied Sciences |language=en |volume=9 |issue=8 |page=1612 |doi=10.3390/app9081612 |doi-access=free |issn=2076-3417}}</ref> developmental science<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wilcox |first1=Teresa |last2=Biondi |first2=Marisa |date=2015 |title=fNIRS in the developmental sciences |journal=WIREs Cognitive Science |language=en |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=263–283 |doi=10.1002/wcs.1343 |issn=1939-5086 |pmc=4979552 |pmid=26263229}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zhan |first1=Zehui |last2=Yang |first2=Qinchen |last3=Luo |first3=Lixia |last4=Zhang |first4=Xia |date=2024-03-01 |title=Applying functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in educational research: a systematic review |journal=Current Psychology |language=en |volume=43 |issue=11 |pages=9676–9691 |doi=10.1007/s12144-023-05094-y |issn=1936-4733}}</ref> and sport and exercise science.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Herold |first1=Fabian |last2=Wiegel |first2=Patrick |last3=Scholkmann |first3=Felix |last4=Müller |first4=Notger |date=2018-11-22 |title=Applications of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Neuroimaging in Exercise–Cognition Science: A Systematic, Methodology-Focused Review |journal=Journal of Clinical Medicine |language=en |volume=7 |issue=12 |page=466 |doi=10.3390/jcm7120466 |doi-access=free |issn=2077-0383 |pmc=6306799 |pmid=30469482}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Herold |first1=Fabian |last2=Wiegel |first2=Patrick |last3=Scholkmann |first3=Felix |last4=Thiers |first4=Angelina |last5=Hamacher |first5=Dennis |last6=Schega |first6=Lutz |date=2017-08-01 |title=Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in movement science: a systematic review on cortical activity in postural and walking tasks |journal=Neurophotonics |language=en |volume=4 |issue=4 |article-number=041403 |doi=10.1117/1.NPh.4.4.041403 |pmid=28924563 |pmc=5538329 |issn=2329-423X}}</ref> The signal is often compared with the BOLD signal measured by fMRI and is capable of measuring changes both in oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin concentration,<ref name="CuiBray2011">{{cite journal |last1=Cui |first1=Xu |last2=Bray |first2=Signe |last3=Bryant |first3=Daniel M. |last4=Glover |first4=Gary H. |last5=Reiss |first5=Allan L. |title=A quantitative comparison of NIRS and fMRI across multiple cognitive tasks |journal=NeuroImage |date=February 2011 |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=2808–2821 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.10.069 |pmid=21047559 |pmc=3021967 }}</ref> but can only measure from regions near the cortical surface.
==How it Works== {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" !Basic functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) abbreviations |- !BFi = blood flow index
CBF = cerebral blood flow
CBV = cerebral blood volume
CMRO<sub>2</sub>= metabolic rate of oxygen
CW= continuous wave
DCS = diffuse correlation spectroscopy
FD = frequency-domain
Hb, HbR= deoxygenated hemoglobin
HbO, HbO<sub>2</sub>= oxygenated hemoglobin
HbT= total hemoglobin concentration
HGB = blood hemoglobin
SaO<sub>2</sub>= arterial saturation
SO<sub>2</sub>= hemoglobin saturation
SvO<sub>2</sub>= venous saturation
TD=time-domain |} fNIRS estimates the concentration of hemoglobin from changes in absorption of near infrared light. As light moves or propagates through the head, it is alternately scattered or absorbed by the tissue through which it travels. Because hemoglobin is a significant absorber of near-infrared light, changes in absorbed light can be used to reliably measure changes in hemoglobin concentration. Different fNIRS techniques can also use the way in which light propagates to estimate blood volume and oxygenation. The technique is safe, non-invasive, and can be used with other imaging modalities <ref>{{Cite web |title=fNIRS - EEG {{!}} fNIRS Systems {{!}} NIRS Devices {{!}} NIRx |url=https://nirx.net/fnirs-eeg |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=NIRx Medical Technologies |language=en-US}}</ref>.thumb|Oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobinfNIRS is a non-invasive imaging method involving the quantification of chromophore concentration resolved from the measurement of near infrared (NIR) light attenuation or temporal or phasic changes. The technique takes advantage of the optical window in which (a) skin, tissue, and bone are mostly transparent to NIR light (700–900 nm spectral interval) and (b) hemoglobin (Hb) and deoxygenated-hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) are strong absorbers of light {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}.
thumb|Absorption spectra for oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb for near-infrared wavelengths There are different ways for infrared light to interact with the brain tissue.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Song |first1=Lequan |last2=Wang |first2=Hui |last3=Peng |first3=Ruiyun |date=2024-01-11 |title=Advances in the Regulation of Neural Function by Infrared Light |journal=International Journal of Molecular Sciences |language=en |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=928 |doi=10.3390/ijms25020928 |doi-access=free |issn=1422-0067 |pmc=10815576 |pmid=38256001}}</ref> fNIRS focuses primarily on absorption: differences in the absorption spectra of deoxy-Hb and oxy-Hb allow the measurement of relative changes in hemoglobin concentration through the use of light attenuation at multiple wavelengths. Two or more wavelengths are selected, with one wavelength above and one below the isosbestic point of 810 nm—at which deoxy-Hb and oxy-Hb have identical absorption coefficients. Using the modified Beer-Lambert law (mBLL), relative changes in concentration can be calculated as a function of total photon path length.<ref name="Villager1997">{{Cite journal|last1=Villringer|first1=A.|last2=Chance|first2=B.|year=1997|title=Non-invasive optical spectroscopy and imaging of human brain function|journal=Trends in Neurosciences|volume=20|issue=10|pages=435–442|doi=10.1016/S0166-2236(97)01132-6|pmid=9347608|s2cid=18077839|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Typically, the light emitter and detector are placed ipsilaterally (each emitter/detector pair on the same side) on the subject's skull so recorded measurements are due to back-scattered (reflected) light following elliptical pathways.<ref name="LiGong2011">{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Ting |last2=Gong |first2=Hui |last3=Luo |first3=Qingming |title=Visualization of light propagation in visible Chinese human head for functional near-infrared spectroscopy |journal=Journal of Biomedical Optics |date=1 April 2011 |volume=16 |issue=4 |page=045001 |doi=10.1117/1.3567085 |pmid=21529068 |bibcode=2011JBO....16d5001L |doi-access=free }}</ref> fNIRS is most sensitive to hemodynamic changes which occur nearest to the scalp<ref name="KohnoMiyai2007">{{cite journal |last1=Kohno |first1=Satoru |last2=Miyai |first2=Ichiro |last3=Seiyama |first3=Akitoshi |last4=Oda |first4=Ichiro |last5=Ishikawa |first5=Akihiro |last6=Tsuneishi |first6=Shoichi |last7=Amita |first7=Takashi |last8=Shimizu |first8=Koji |title=Removal of the skin blood flow artifact in functional near-infrared spectroscopic imaging data through independent component analysis |journal=Journal of Biomedical Optics |date=2007 |volume=12 |issue=6 |page=062111 |doi=10.1117/1.2814249 |pmid=18163814 |bibcode=2007JBO....12f2111K |doi-access=free }}</ref> and these superficial artifacts are often addressed using additional light detectors located closer to the light source (short-separation detectors).<ref name="BrigadoiCooper2015">{{cite journal |last1=Brigadoi |first1=Sabrina |last2=Cooper |first2=Robert J. |title=How short is short? Optimum source–detector distance for short-separation channels in functional near-infrared spectroscopy |journal=Neurophotonics |date=26 May 2015 |volume=2 |issue=2 |article-number=025005 |doi=10.1117/1.NPh.2.2.025005 |pmid=26158009 |pmc=4478880 }}</ref>
=== Modified Beer–Lambert law=== Changes in light intensity can be related to changes in relative concentrations of hemoglobin through the modified Beer–Lambert law (mBLL). The Beer Lambert-law has to deal with concentration of hemoglobin. This technique also measures relative changes in light attenuation as well as using mBLL to quantify hemoglobin concentration changes.<ref>{{Citation|title=Modified Beer Lambert Law| date=22 January 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ir4JDn_n7Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/1Ir4JDn_n7Y |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== Equipment and Software ==
=== fNIRS cap === [[File:21 electrodes of International 10-20 system for EEG.svg|thumb|10-20 system]]fNIRS electrode locations can be defined using a variety of layouts, including names and locations that are specified by the International 10–20 system as well as other layouts that are specifically optimized to maintain a consistent 30mm distance between each location. In addition to the standard positions of electrodes, short separation channels can be added. Short separation channels allow the measurement of scalp signals. Since the short separation channels measure the signal coming from the scalp, they allow the removal of the signal of superficial layers. This leaves behind the actual brain response. Short separation channel detectors are usually placed 8mm away from a source. They do not need to be in a specific direction or in the same direction as a detector.<ref name="Yücel Selb Aasted et al 2015" />
=== Software ===
==== HOMER3 ==== HOMER3 allows users to obtain estimates and maps of brain activation. It is a set of matlab scripts used for analyzing fNIRS data. This set of scripts has evolved since the early 1990s first as the Photon Migration Imaging toolbox, then HOMER1 and HOMER2, and now HOMER3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HOMER2 |url=https://homer-fnirs.org/ |access-date=2019-11-26 |website=HOMER2}}</ref>
==== NIRS toolbox ==== This toolbox is a set of Matlab-based tools for the analysis of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This toolbox defines the +nirs namespace and includes a series of tools for signal processing, display, and statistics of fNIRS data. This toolbox is built around an object-oriented framework of Matlab classes and namespaces.<ref>Santosa, H., Zhai, X., Fishburn, F., & Huppert, T. (2018). The NIRS Brain AnalyzIR Toolbox. Algorithms, 11(5), 73.</ref>
==== AtlasViewer ==== AtlasViewer allows fNIRS data to be visualized on a model of the brain. In addition, it also allows the user to design probes which can eventually be placed onto a subject.<ref name="Aasted Yücel Cooper et al 2015">{{cite journal |last1=Aasted |first1=Christopher M. |last2=Yücel |first2=Meryem A. |last3=Cooper |first3=Robert J. |last4=Dubb |first4=Jay |last5=Tsuzuki |first5=Daisuke |last6=Becerra |first6=Lino |last7=Petkov |first7=Mike P. |last8=Borsook |first8=David |last9=Dan |first9=Ippeita |last10=Boas |first10=David A. |date=5 May 2015 |title=Anatomical guidance for functional near-infrared spectroscopy: AtlasViewer tutorial |journal=Neurophotonics |volume=2 |issue=2 |doi=10.1117/1.NPh.2.2.020801 |pmc=4478785 |pmid=26157991 |article-number=020801}}</ref>
==History== The conceptual origins of functional near-infrared spectroscopy date to 1977, when Frans Jöbsis demonstrated that near-infrared light could penetrate biological tissue and report on oxygenation changes in vivo.<ref>Jöbsis, F.F. (1977). Noninvasive, infrared monitoring of cerebral and myocardial oxygen sufficiency and circulatory parameters. Science, 198(4323), 1264–1267.</ref> Throughout the 1980s, this observation informed early cerebral oximetry instruments used in neonatal medicine and physiology research.<ref>Chance, B., et al. (1988). A new method for the determination of oxygenation in the brain in vivo. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 85(4), 1224–1228.</ref> In the early 1990s, several research groups independently reported changes in hemoglobin concentrations during cognitive tasks, establishing fNIRS as a viable functional neuroimaging modality.<ref>Villringer, A., et al. (1993). Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS): a new tool to study hemodynamic changes during activation of brain function in human adults. Neuroscience Letters, 154(1–2), 101–104.</ref> Progress occurred internationally: researchers in Japan, Europe, and North America contributed to theory, hardware, and methodological refinement.<ref>Ferrari, M. & Quaresima, V. (2012). A brief review on the history of human functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) development and fields of application. NeuroImage, 63(2), 921–935.</ref> The term “optical topography” was introduced in 1995 when Hitachi released one of the first practical multi-channel commercial systems.<ref>Koizumi, H., et al. (1995). Optical topography: practical functional brain imaging by near-infrared spectroscopy. Proceedings of SPIE, 2396, 121–132.</ref> With rising sensor density, signal analysis advances, and portable configurations, fNIRS expanded rapidly into cognitive neuroscience, clinical medicine, developmental psychology, and applied research.<ref>Scholkmann, F., et al. (2014). A review on continuous wave functional near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging instrumentation and methodology. NeuroImage, 85 Pt 1, 6–27.</ref>
== Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy/Imaging (DOI/DOS) ==
=== Spectroscopic techniques ===
==== Continuous wave ==== Continuous wave (CW) system uses light sources with constant frequency and amplitude. In fact, to measure absolute changes in HbO concentration with the mBLL, we need to know photon path-length. However, CW-fNIRS does not provide any knowledge of photon path-length, so changes in HbO concentration are relative to an unknown path-length. Many CW-fNIRS commercial systems use estimations of photon path-length derived from computerized Monte-Carlo simulations and physical models, to approximate absolute quantification of hemoglobin concentrations {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}.
<math>\text{OD} = \operatorname{ln}(I_{0}/I)=\epsilon\cdot [X]\cdot l \cdot \text{DPF} + G</math>
Where <math>\text{OD}</math> is the optical density or attenuation, <math>I_0</math> is emitted light intensity, <math>I</math> is measured light intensity, <math> \epsilon</math> is the attenuation coefficient, <math>[X]</math> is the chromophore concentration, <math>l</math> is the distance between source and detector and <math>\text{DPF}</math> is the differential path length factor, and <math>G</math> is a geometric factor associated with scattering {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}.
When the attenuation coefficients <math>\epsilon</math> are known, constant scattering loss is assumed, and the measurements are treated differentially in time, the equation reduces to:
<math>\Delta[X]=\Delta \frac{\text{OD} }{\epsilon d}</math>
Where <math>d</math> is the total corrected photon path-length.
Using a dual wavelength system, measurements for HbO<sub>2</sub> and Hb can be solved from the matrix equation:<ref name="AyazShewokis2011">{{cite journal |last1=Ayaz |first1=Hasan |last2=Shewokis |first2=Patricia A. |last3=Curtin |first3=Adrian |last4=Izzetoglu |first4=Meltem |last5=Izzetoglu |first5=Kurtulus |last6=Onaral |first6=Banu |title=Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation |journal=Journal of Visualized Experiments |date=8 October 2011 |issue=56 |page=3443 |doi=10.3791/3443 |pmid=22005455 |pmc=3227178 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
<math> \begin{pmatrix} \Delta \text{OD}_{\lambda_{1}} \\ \Delta \text{OD}_{\lambda_{2}} \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} \epsilon^{\text{Hb}}_{\lambda_{1}}d & \epsilon^{\text{HbO}_2}_{\lambda_{1}}d \\ \epsilon^{\text{Hb}}_{\lambda_{2}}d & \epsilon^{\text{HbO}_2}_{\lambda_{2}}d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} \Delta [X]^{\text{Hb}} \\ \Delta [X]^{\text{HbO}_2} \end{pmatrix} </math>
Due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness, CW-fNIRS is by far the most common form of functional NIRS since it is the cheapest to make, applicable with more channels, and ensures a high temporal resolution. However, it does not distinguish between absorption and scattering changes, and cannot measure absolute absorption values: which means that it is only sensitive to ''relative'' change in HbO concentration {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}.
Still, the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of CW-based devices prove themselves to be the most favorable for a number of clinical applications: neonatal care, patient monitoring systems, diffuse optical tomography, and so forth. Moreover, thanks to its portability, wireless CW systems have been developed—allowing individuals to be monitored in ambulatory, clinical and sports environments.<ref name="PiperKrueger2014">{{cite journal |last1=Piper |first1=Sophie K. |last2=Krueger |first2=Arne |last3=Koch |first3=Stefan P. |last4=Mehnert |first4=Jan |last5=Habermehl |first5=Christina |last6=Steinbrink |first6=Jens |last7=Obrig |first7=Hellmuth |last8=Schmitz |first8=Christoph H. |title=A wearable multi-channel fNIRS system for brain imaging in freely moving subjects |journal=NeuroImage |date=January 2014 |volume=85 |issue=1 |pages=64–71 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.06.062 |pmid=23810973 |pmc=3859838 }}</ref> <ref name="CurtinAyaz2018">{{cite journal |last1=Curtin |first1=Adrian |last2=Ayaz |first2=Hasan |title=The Age of Neuroergonomics: Towards Ubiquitous and Continuous Measurement of Brain Function with fNIRS: The age of neuroergonomics and fNIRS |journal=Japanese Psychological Research |date=October 2018 |volume=60 |issue=4 |pages=374–386 |doi=10.1111/jpr.12227 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="QuaresimaFerrari2016">{{cite journal |last1=Quaresima |first1=Valentina |last2=Ferrari |first2=Marco |title=Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) for Assessing Cerebral Cortex Function During Human Behavior in Natural/Social Situations: A Concise Review |journal=Organizational Research Methods |date=January 2019 |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=46–68 |doi=10.1177/1094428116658959 |s2cid=148042299 }}</ref>
==== Frequency domain {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}} ==== Frequency domain (FD) system comprises NIR laser sources which provide an amplitude-modulated sinusoid at frequencies near 100 MHz. FD-fNIRS measures attenuation, phase shift and the average path length of light through the tissue.
Changes in the back-scattered signal's amplitude and phase provide a direct measurement of absorption and scattering coefficients of the tissue, thus obviating the need for information about photon path-length; and from the coefficients we determine the changes in the concentration of hemodynamic parameters.
Because of the need for modulated lasers as well as phasic measurements, FD system-based devices are more technically complex (therefore more expensive and much less portable) than CW-based ones. However, the system is capable of providing absolute concentrations of HbO and HbR.
==== Time domain {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}} ==== Time domain (TD) system introduces a short NIR pulse with a pulse length usually in the order of picoseconds—around 70 ps. Through time-of-flight measurements, photon path-length may be directly observed by dividing resolved time by the speed of light. Information about hemodynamic changes can be found in the attenuation, decay, and time profile of the back-scattered signal. For this photon-counting technology is introduced, which counts 1 photon for every 100 pulses to maintain linearity. TD-fNIRS does have a slow sampling rate as well as a limited number of wavelengths. Because of the need for a photon-counting device, high-speed detection, and high-speed emitters, time-resolved methods are the most expensive and technically complicated.
TD-based devices have the highest depth sensitivity and are capable of presenting most accurate values of baseline hemoglobin concentration and oxygenation.
=== Diffuse correlation spectroscopy === Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) is a non-invasive optical imaging technique that utilizes coherent near-infrared light to measure local microvascular cerebral blood flow by quantifying the temporal light intensity fluctuations generated by dynamic scattering of moving red blood cells. This dynamic scattering from moving cells causes the detected intensity to temporally fluctuate. These fluctuations can be quantified by the temporal intensity autocorrelation curve of a single speckle. The decay of the autocorrelation curve is fitted with the solution of the correlation diffusion equation to obtain an index of cerebral blood flow.<ref>{{cite journal | pmc=3991554 | year=2013 | last1=Durduran | first1=T. | last2=Yodh | first2=A. G. | title=Diffuse correlation spectroscopy for non-invasive, micro-vascular cerebral blood flow measurement | journal=NeuroImage | volume=85 | issue=1 | pages=51–63 | doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.06.017 | pmid=23770408 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sutin |first1=Jason |last2=Zimmerman |first2=Bernhard |last3=Tyulmankov |first3=Danil |last4=Tamborini |first4=Davide |last5=Wu |first5=Kuan Cheng |last6=Selb |first6=Juliette |last7=Gulinatti |first7=Angelo |last8=Rech |first8=Ivan |last9=Tosi |first9=Alberto |last10=Boas |first10=David A. |last11=Franceschini |first11=Maria Angela |title=Time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy |journal=Optica |date=20 September 2016 |volume=3 |issue=9 |pages=1006–1013 |doi=10.1364/OPTICA.3.001006 |pmid=28008417 |pmc=5166986 |bibcode=2016Optic...3.1006S }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | pmc=7522668 | year=2020 | last1=Carp | first1=S. A. | last2=Tamborini | first2=D. | last3=Mazumder | first3=D. | last4=Wu | first4=K. C. | last5=Robinson | first5=M. R. | last6=Stephens | first6=K. A. | last7=Shatrovoy | first7=O. | last8=Lue | first8=N. | last9=Ozana | first9=N. | last10=Blackwell | first10=M. H. | last11=Franceschini | first11=M. A. | title=Diffuse correlation spectroscopy measurements of blood flow using 1064 nm light | journal=Journal of Biomedical Optics | volume=25 | issue=9 | article-number=097003 | doi=10.1117/1.JBO.25.9.097003 | pmid=32996299 | bibcode=2020JBO....25i7003C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1117/1.NPh.1.1.011009 | title=Diffuse correlation spectroscopy for measurement of cerebral blood flow: Future prospects | year=2014 | last1=Buckley | first1=Erin M. | last2=Parthasarathy | first2=Ashwin B. | last3=Grant | first3=P. Ellen | last4=Yodh | first4=Arjun G. | last5=Franceschini | first5=Maria Angela | journal=Neurophotonics | volume=1 | issue=1 | article-number=011009 | pmid=25593978 | pmc=4292799 | s2cid=13208535 }}</ref>thumb|Measurement of brain oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentration changes at high alltitude induced hypoxia with a portable fNIRS device (PortaLite, Artinis Medical Systems)
== Application == fNIRS has been successfully implemented as a control signal for brain–computer interface systems.<ref name="ayaz2009">{{cite book |doi=10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6091561 |chapter=An optical brain computer interface for environmental control |year=2011 |last1=Ayaz |first1=H. |last2=Shewokis |first2=P. A. |last3=Bunce |first3=S. |last4=Onaral |first4=B. |title=Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference |volume=2011 |pages=6327–6330 |pmid=22255785 |isbn=978-1-4577-1589-1 |s2cid=4951918 }}</ref><ref name="Coyle2007">{{cite journal |last1=Coyle |first1=Shirley M |last2=Ward |first2=Tomás E |last3=Markham |first3=Charles M |title=Brain–computer interface using a simplified functional near-infrared spectroscopy system |journal=Journal of Neural Engineering |date=September 2007 |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=219–226 |doi=10.1088/1741-2560/4/3/007 |pmid=17873424 |bibcode=2007JNEng...4..219C |s2cid=18723855 |url=https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/15548/1/CM_brain-computer.pdf }}</ref><ref name="Sitaram2007">{{cite journal |last1=Sitaram |first1=Ranganatha |last2=Zhang |first2=Haihong |last3=Guan |first3=Cuntai |last4=Thulasidas |first4=Manoj |last5=Hoshi |first5=Yoko |last6=Ishikawa |first6=Akihiro |last7=Shimizu |first7=Koji |last8=Birbaumer |first8=Niels |title=Temporal classification of multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy signals of motor imagery for developing a brain–computer interface |journal=NeuroImage |date=February 2007 |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=1416–1427 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.11.005 |pmid=17196832 |s2cid=15471179 |url=https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/3493 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Naseer |first1=Noman |last2=Hong |first2=Melissa Jiyoun |last3=Hong |first3=Keum-Shik |title=Online binary decision decoding using functional near-infrared spectroscopy for the development of brain–computer interface |journal=Experimental Brain Research |date=February 2014 |volume=232 |issue=2 |pages=555–564 |doi=10.1007/s00221-013-3764-1 |pmid=24258529 |s2cid=15250694 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Naseer |first1=Noman |last2=Hong |first2=Keum-Shik |title=Classification of functional near-infrared spectroscopy signals corresponding to the right- and left-wrist motor imagery for development of a brain–computer interface |journal=Neuroscience Letters |date=October 2013 |volume=553 |pages=84–89 |doi=10.1016/j.neulet.2013.08.021 |pmid=23973334 |s2cid=220773 }}</ref> Modern fNIRS systems are combined with virtual or augmented reality in studies on brain-computer interfaces,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Piper |first1=Sophie K. |last2=Krueger |first2=Arne |last3=Koch |first3=Stefan P. |last4=Mehnert |first4=Jan |last5=Habermehl |first5=Christina |last6=Steinbrink |first6=Jens |last7=Obrig |first7=Hellmuth |last8=Schmitz |first8=Christoph H. |date=15 January 2014 |title=A wearable multi-channel fNIRS system for brain imaging in freely moving subjects |journal=NeuroImage |volume=85 |issue=1 |pages=64–71 |doi=10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.06.062 |pmc=3859838 |pmid=23810973}}</ref> neurorehabilitation<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Holper |first1=Lisa |last2=Muehlemann |first2=Thomas |last3=Scholkmann |first3=Felix |last4=Eng |first4=Kynan |last5=Kiper |first5=Daniel |last6=Wolf |first6=Martin |date=December 2010 |title=Testing the potential of a virtual reality neurorehabilitation system during performance of observation, imagery and imitation of motor actions recorded by wireless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) |journal=Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |volume=7 |issue=1 |page=57 |doi=10.1186/1743-0003-7-57 |pmc=3014953 |pmid=21122154 |doi-access=free}}</ref> or social perception.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kim |first1=Gyoung |title=Augmented Cognition |last2=Buntain |first2=Noah |last3=Hirshfield |first3=Leanne |last4=Costa |first4=Mark R. |last5=Chock |first5=T. Makana |year=2019 |isbn=978-3-030-22418-9 |series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science |volume=11580 |pages=407–417 |chapter=Processing Racial Stereotypes in Virtual Reality: An Exploratory Study Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FNIRS) |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-22419-6_29 |s2cid=195891659}}</ref> fNIRS can be used to monitor musicians' brain activity while playing musical instruments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2015 |title=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKYTcDjb8X8&feature=youtu.be&list=PLlfFR1SUWcsufTkB_jGryva8WmRsA2ol- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/iKYTcDjb8X8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=2020-03-26 |website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=fNIRS of playing piano |date=9 August 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UkcwkxbmXI&list=PLlfFR1SUWcsufTkB_jGryva8WmRsA2ol- |access-date=2020-03-26 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6UkcwkxbmXI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=fNIRS of Observation |date=10 August 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYQJiyeGg8Y&list=PLlfFR1SUWcsufTkB_jGryva8WmRsA2ol- |access-date=2020-03-26 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/iYQJiyeGg8Y |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=fNIRS of Imagery |date=9 August 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a1eAAP8TuU&list=PLlfFR1SUWcsufTkB_jGryva8WmRsA2ol- |access-date=2020-03-26 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6a1eAAP8TuU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> fNIRS is compatible with some other neuroimaging modalities, including: MRI, EEG, and MEG.<ref name=":0" />
=== Hypoxia & altitude studies === With our constant need for oxygen, our body has developed multiple mechanisms that detect oxygen levels, which in turn can activate appropriate responses to counter hypoxia and generate a higher oxygen supply. Moreover, understanding the physiological mechanism underlying the bodily response to oxygen deprivation is of major importance and NIRS devices have shown to be a great tool in this field of research.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shaw |first1=Keely |last2=Singh |first2=Jyotpal |last3=Sirant |first3=Luke |last4=Neary |first4=J. Patrick |last5=Chilibeck |first5=Philip D. |title=Effect of Dark Chocolate Supplementation on Tissue Oxygenation, Metabolism, and Performance in Trained Cyclists at Altitude |journal=International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism |date=November 2020 |volume=30 |issue=6 |pages=420–426 |doi=10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0051 |pmid=32916656 |s2cid=221635672 }}</ref>
thumb|Mobile and wireless fNIRS and EEG systems synchronized with all-in-one head mounted display (PhotonCap, Cortivision)
== Brain mapping ==
=== Functional connectivity ===
fNIRS measurements can be used to calculate a limited degree of functional connectivity. Multi-channel fNIRS measurements create a topographical map of neural activation, whereby temporal correlation between spatially separated events can be analyzed. Functional connectivity is typically assessed in terms correlations between the hemodynamic responses of spatially distinct regions of interest (ROIs). In brain studies, functional connectivity measurements are commonly taken for resting state patient data, as well as data recorded over stimulus paradigms. A study led by Alessandro Crimi team highlighted that the functional connectivity measures obtained with fNIRS measurements are quite different from those obtained via EEG caps.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Blanco |first1=R |last2=Koba |first2=C |last3=Crimi |first3=A |title=Investigating the interaction between EEG and fNIRS: a multimodal network analysis of brain connectivity |journal=Journal of Computational Science |volume=82 |article-number=102416 |date=2024 |doi=10.1016/j.jocs.2024.102416|doi-access=free }}</ref>
=== Cerebral oximetry === NIRS monitoring is helpful in a number of ways. Preterm infants can be monitored reducing cerebral hypoxia and hyperoxia with different patterns of activities.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rahimpour |first1=Ali |last2=Noubari |first2=Hosein Ahmadi |last3=Kazemian |first3=Mohammad |title=A case-study of NIRS application for infant cerebral hemodynamic monitoring: A report of data analysis for feature extraction and infant classification into healthy and unhealthy |journal=Informatics in Medicine Unlocked |date=2018 |volume=11 |pages=44–50 |doi=10.1016/j.imu.2018.04.001 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It is an effective aid in Cardiopulmonary bypass, is strongly considered to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs and extended stays.
There are inconclusive results for use of NIRS with patients with traumatic brain injury, so it has been concluded that it should remain a research tool {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}.
=== Diffuse optical tomography === Diffuse optical tomography is the 3D version of Diffuse optical imaging. Diffuse optical images are obtained using NIRS or fluorescence-based methods. These images can be used to develop a 3D volumetric model which is known as the Diffuse Optical Tomography.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Durduran |first1=T. |last2=Choe |first2=R. |last3=Baker |first3=W. B. |last4=Yodh |first4=A. G. |title=Diffuse Optics for Tissue Monitoring and Tomography |journal=Reports on Progress in Physics |date=July 2010 |volume=73 |issue=7 |article-number=076701 |doi=10.1088/0034-4885/73/7/076701 |pmid=26120204 |pmc=4482362 |bibcode=2010RPPh...73g6701D }}</ref>
===Functional neuroimaging=== The use of fNIRS as a functional neuroimaging method relies on the principle of neuro-vascular coupling also known as the haemodynamic response or blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) response. This principle also forms the core of fMRI techniques. Through neuro-vascular coupling, neuronal activity is linked to related changes in localized cerebral blood flow. fNIRS and fMRI are sensitive to similar physiologic changes and are often comparative methods. Studies relating fMRI and fNIRS show highly correlated results in cognitive tasks. fNIRS has several advantages in cost and portability over fMRI, but cannot be used to measure cortical activity more than 4 cm deep due to limitations in light emitter power and has more limited spatial resolution. fNIRS includes the use of diffuse optical tomography (DOT/NIRDOT) for functional purposes. Multiplexing fNIRS channels can allow 2D topographic functional maps of brain activity (e.g. with Hitachi ETG-4000, Artinis Oxymon, NIRx NIRScout, etc.) while using multiple emitter spacings may be used to build 3D tomographic maps {{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}. thumb|fNIRS hyperscanning with two violinists
=== Hyperscanning === {{see also|Neural synchrony#Hyperscanning}} Hyperscanning involves two or more brains monitored simultaneously to investigate interpersonal (across-brains) neural correlates in various social situations, which proves fNIRS to be a suitable modality for investigating live brain-to-brain social interactions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fnirs.org/2018/02/fnirs-hyperscanning-2018/|title=fNIRS Hyperscanning: A door to real-world social neuroscience research|last=mari|date=2018-02-04|website=The Society for functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-26}}</ref>
== Advantages and Limitations ==
=== Advantages === The advantages of fNIRS are, among other things: noninvasiveness, low-cost modalities, perfect safety, high temporal resolution, compatibility with other imaging modalities, and multiple hemodynamic biomarkers.<ref name="CuiBray2011" /> People who use medical implants in their brains such as cochlear implant, or metal brain plates are able to wear fNIRs with no risk of device displacement or heating, which can occur in MRI.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Alemi |first1=Razieh |last2=Wolfe |first2=Jace |last3=Neumann |first3=Sara |last4=Manning |first4=Jacy |last5=Towler |first5=Will |last6=Koirala |first6=Nabin |last7=Gracco |first7=Vincent L. |last8=Deroche |first8=Mickael |date=December 2023 |title=Audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implants revealed through EEG and fNIRS |journal=Brain Research Bulletin |volume=205 |article-number=110817 |doi=10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110817 |pmid=37989460 |issn=0361-9230|doi-access=free }}</ref>
=== Limitations === fNIRs have low brain sensitivity due to it only being able to detect changes on the cortical surface and low spatial resolution, about 1-3 centimeters deep.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Lirui |last2=Wang |first2=Zehua |date=2025-03-18 |title=Applications and advances of combined fMRI-fNIRs techniques in brain functional research |journal=Frontiers in Neurology |language=English |volume=16 |article-number=1542075 |doi=10.3389/fneur.2025.1542075 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-2295 |pmc=11958174 |pmid=40170894}}</ref> The signal is sensitive to hair and skin pigment differences, making it difficult to do between-subject designs. Dense or extremely curly hair may prohibit placement of optodes close to the scalp, limiting the ability to use the technique with all individuals.<ref name="CuiBray2011" /> Although this device can be used with brain implant users, the signal over these areas will be disrupted meaning that spatial oversampling must occur to retain spatial resolution of the target area. Alternative strategies must be implemented such as more pressure on optodes, or specific montages in order to compensate for these limitations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Saliba |first1=Joe |last2=Bortfeld |first2=Heather |last3=Levitin |first3=Daniel J. |last4=Oghalai |first4=John S. |date=August 2016 |title=Functional near-infrared spectroscopy for neuroimaging in cochlear implant recipients |journal=Hearing Research |volume=338 |pages=64–75 |doi=10.1016/j.heares.2016.02.005 |issn=1878-5891 |pmc=4967399 |pmid=26883143}}</ref>
== See also == *Near-infrared spectroscopy *Diffuse optical tomography<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nirx.net/|title=NIRx {{!}} fNIRS Systems {{!}} NIRS Devices|website=NIRx Medical Technologies|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref> *Functional neuroimaging *Cognitive neuroscience<ref name="Yücel Selb Aasted et al 2015">{{cite journal |last1=Yücel |first1=Meryem A. |last2=Selb |first2=Juliette |last3=Aasted |first3=Christopher M. |last4=Petkov |first4=Mike P. |last5=Becerra |first5=Lino |last6=Borsook |first6=David |last7=Boas |first7=David A. |title=Short separation regression improves statistical significance and better localizes the hemodynamic response obtained by near-infrared spectroscopy for tasks with differing autonomic responses |journal=Neurophotonics |date=11 September 2015 |volume=2 |issue=3 |article-number=035005 |doi=10.1117/1.NPh.2.3.035005 |pmc=4717232 |pmid=26835480 }}</ref> *[https://fnirs.org/ The Society for Functional Near Infrared Society (external link)] *[https://www.globalfnirs.org/ Global fNIRS (external Link)] *[https://www.cortivision.com/products/spotlight/ An example of a mobile fNIRS system designed for studies in VR environments] *[https://soterixmedical.com/research/nirsit/ Soterix Medical fNIRS] *[https://cortechsolutions.com/product-category/nirs-fnirs/ Cortech Solutions fNIRS] *Neural synchrony
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Neuroimaging Category:Optical imaging