Wearable fNIRS platform for dense sampling and precision functional neuroimaging
Precision mental health aims to improve care by tailoring interventions based on individual neurobiological features. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a cost effective and portable alternative to traditional neuroimaging, making it a promising tool for this purpose. This study evaluates a self-administered, wearable fNIRS platform designed for precision mental health applications, focusing on its reliability and specificity in capturing individualized functional connectivity patterns. The platform incorporates a wireless, portable multichannel fNIRS device, augmented reality guidance for reproducible device placement, and a cloud-based systemfor remote data access. In this proof-of concept study, eight adults completed ten dense-sampled sessions involving cognitive tasks and resting-state measurements. Results demonstrated high test-retest reliability and within-participant consistency in functional connectivity and activation patterns. These findings support the platform’s feasibility for individualized functional mapping. Future research with larger and more diverse cohorts, including clinical populations, is necessary to explore its potential for disorder-specific applications.
Read More...
A low-cost, wearable, do-it-yourself functional near-infraredspectroscopy (DIY-fNIRS) headband
Neuromonitoring in naturalistic environments is of increasing interest for a variety of research fields including psychology, economics, and productivity. Among functional neuromonitoring modalities, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is well regarded for its potential for miniaturization, good spatial and temporal resolutions, and resilience to motion artifacts. Historically, the large size and high cost of fNIRS systems have precluded widespread adoption of the technology. In this article, we describe the first open source, fully integrated wireless fNIRS headband system with a single LED-pair source and four detectors. With ease of operation and comfort in mind, the system is encased in a soft, lightweight cloth and silicone enclosure. Accompanying computer and smartphone data collection software have also been provided, and the hardware has been validated using
classic fNIRS tasks. This wear-and-go design can easily be scaled to accommodate a larger number of fNIRS channels and opens the door to easily collecting fNIRS data during routine activities in naturalistic conditions.
Read More...
Naturalistic fNIRS assessment reveals decline in executive function and altered prefrontal activatio
As of 2023, 69% of adults and 81% of teens in the U.S. use social media regularly. This study investigates the immediate impact of social media consumption on executive functioning (EF) and emotion in college students using a wearable, naturalistic functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system. Twenty participants completed EF tasks and self-report questionnaires both before and after a brief social media exposure. Over half (55%) met criteria for social media addiction, with an average Instagram usage of five hours per week. Behaviorally, social media exposure led to reduced accuracy in EF tasks, including n-back and Go/No-Go paradigms. Neurally, increased medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activation suggested greater cognitive effort and performance monitoring, while decreased dorsolateral (dlPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) activation reflected impairments in working memory and inhibition. Reduced inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) activity was also linked to difficulties suppressing motor responses. Emotional changes were modest, with the control group reporting slightly lower happiness post-intervention. These findings demonstrate the cognitive cost of social media use and underscore the potential of wearable fNIRS for real-world brain monitoring. This approach may inform future interventions and support precision mental health strategies targeting digital behavior.
Read More...
NIRDuino: A modular, Bluetooth-enabled, Android®-configurable fNIRS system with dual-intensity ...
We present NIRDuino: an Open-source Android®-configurable, modular, and Bluetooth-enabled fNIRS system that allows researchers to perform neuroimaging studies with up to eight emitters and 16 detectors. The complete system (including Android tablet) can be assembled for less than $1000, and the emitters and detectors can be arranged in any configuration to achieve the desired short and long channels required for their study.
The system has been designed with non-engineers in mind, and the researcher only needs to design the wearable interfaces to attach the emitters and detectors to the body appropriate for their intended application.
This paper details the system’s design and characterization on phantom and two physiological experiences on a human.
The easy-to-configure hardware/software system demonstrated stability in fNIRS measurements using a single emitter-detector pair placed on a phantom, and reproduced previously published outcomes for arterial cuff measurements on the forearm and a arithmetic experiment on the forehead.
The NIRDuino circuitry and software demonstrated modularity and usability for NIRS experiments, and this low-cost platform will provide researchers globally with an affordable fNIRS system to easily adopt and adapt for their unique experimental needs.classic fNIRS tasks. This wear-and-go design can easily be scaled to accommodate a larger number of fNIRS channels and opens the door to easily collecting fNIRS data during routine activities in naturalistic conditions.
Read More...
Neuromonitoring-guided working memory intervention in children with ADHD
We proposed a personalized intervention that integrates computerized working memory (WM) training with real time functional neuromonitoring and neurofeedback (NFB) to enhance frontoparietal activity and improve cognitive and clinical outcomes in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study involved 77 children with ADHD aged 7–11 years, who were assigned to either 12 sessions of NFB or treatment-as-usual (i.e., received standard clinical care) groups. Real time neuromonitoring with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and fMRI measured frontoparietal activity during n-back task at baseline and post intervention. Thirty-six participants (21 NFB, 15 treatment-as-usual) completed the study. Significant improvements in NFB group were observed in frontoparietal brain activity and WM performance (primary outcomes). NFB group also showed improvements in Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2) WMt-scores and Conners 3 ADHD index scores (secondary outcomes) compared to treatment-as-usual group. These findings suggest that neuromonitoring-guided NFB effectively enhances cognitive and clinical outcomes in children with ADHDby targeting brain mechanisms underlying WM deficits.classic fNIRS tasks. This wear-and-go design can easily be scaled to accommodate a larger number of fNIRS channels and opens the door to easily collecting fNIRS data during routine activities in naturalistic conditions.
Read More...