In Artinis NIRS blog, you will find the latest trends in (f)NIRS, NIRS studies and applications, tutor from the leaders of near infrared spectroscopy, not to mention detailed insights and tips and tricks for your research!
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Which experimental designs to use in fNIRS — Introduction
This is the introduction post of our blogpost series on experimental designs in fNIRS. In this blogpost, we explain what fNIRS measures, which general considerations have to be considered, and which frequent experimental setups we have for fNIRS.
Using fNIRS to study infants and babies brain – exploring a Brite mind
In the first years of life, the brain shows the fastest and most significant growth. This time period is also crucial for discovering the onset of cognitive deficits and several neuropsychiatric disorders. Hence, proper brain development in infants builds the foundation for a successful and healthy future as an adult.
Artinis Literature Overview 2019 - Brain research
We are very proud to see our equipment used in a wide range of scientific research and continue to be inspired by the bright scientists who are our customers. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from all the publications last year is the fact that NIRS is no longer navel-gazing as a research field on its own, but it has reached out and found a new audience as a versatile research application that, even more than fMRI, is being used in more and more parallel fields. Here, we highlight some of the noteworthy elements of 2019’s publications.
Artinis at the Organization for Human Brain Mapping
At the OHBM conference, we had multiple people with previous NIRS experience ask us if you could really get a good signal with a wearable device on adults. We offered them the chance to try it out themselves; a quick setup resulting in a good signal within minutes quickly dispelled their initial doubts. Seeing is believing!
Using fNIRS to study emotions in virtual reality environments
Have you ever watched a horror movie or read a really gripping thriller that made you skip a beat or two at the climax? If you know what I’m talking about, then we can agree on something: our minds are connected to our bodies in such a way that the emotions we experience cause physiological changes on us.
Submersible NIRS: a very wet lab...
In 2016 dr. Chris McKnight approached Artinis with the idea to measure NIRS under water on wild animals. Initially there was some skepticism, since our devices are not intended to be taken underwater, let alone on a wild animal. However, we really liked the challenge and together with the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) of the University of St. Andrews we created a submersible NIRS-sensor specifically for the seals.
How NIRS is used in brain-computer interfaces
Imagine a person wearing a Brite and playing a demanding video game. This video game is difficult, and the mental workload is increasing drastically. Changes in blood volume, or hemodynamic changes, which are associated with the increase in workload is registered using the Brite. This blog will expand on how a NIRS-based BCI works and what researchers have made possible using NIRS-based BCI.
User insight: observing NIRS research with the Artinis PortaLite on elderly
We like to incorporate the user from the very first beginning in our development process. Talking with researchers and clinicians, we get to know what’s driving them and what their expectations and suggestions are for our devices. We are constantly trying to understand their feelings and see the world from their perspective to optimize our NIRS devices. One way of doing this is observing and questioning the user that is working with the device, and subject that is wearing the NIRS device. This way, we are trying to gain new insights for existing and future NIRS products.
PROMPT project: towards personalized treatment of mobility dysfunction
In this project we will focus on one of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, freezing of gait – episodic absence or reduction in the ability to produce an effective stepping in spite of the intention to walk (Nutt et al., 2011).
Publication overview 2018
A special thanks to our customers who published so many articles with our (f)NIRS devices and we hope you will keep on publishing in the future!
A research lab on wheels: unveiling the Sophia Bus
The Sophia Bus was an idea pitched by researchers from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology within Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital. As a national expertise center for many rare neurodevelopmental syndromes, children all over the Netherlands need to travel all the way to Rotterdam frequently to participate in research studies. The Sophia bus minimizes the burden for these patients by offering the solution to this problem: a mobile research lab that carries researchers to the patients’ doorstep.
NIRS and connectivity measures: an Interview with Prof. Stephane Perrey
fNIRS, as a neuroimaging method, was introduced more than two decades ago. Innovation in equipment, tools, and methods based on related-neuroimaging methods is increasing thanks to several companies and academic laboratories. The use of fNIRS in future research practices will aid in advancing modern investigations of human brain function. Connectivity measures will contribute to the field of neuroscience and a multimodal imaging approach is likely required.