Hemodynamic response to visual stimulation in newborn infants using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

• Published in: Human brain mapping Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 453 - 460
• Main Authors: Karen, Tanja, Morren, Geert, Haensse, Daniel, Bauschatz, Andrea S., Bucher, Hans Ulrich, Wolf, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.04.2008; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; age dependence; Age Factors; Aging - physiology; behavioral state; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Mapping - methods; Cerebrovascular Circulation - physiology; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Female; functional near-infrared spectroscopy; hemodynamic response; Hemodynamics - physiology; Hemoglobins - analysis; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humans; Infant, Newborn; infants; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Oxyhemoglobins - analysis; Oxyhemoglobins - metabolism; Photic Stimulation; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared - methods; Visual Cortex - blood supply; Visual Cortex - growth & development; Visual Cortex - metabolism; Visual Perception - physiology; visual stimulation; visual stimulation, hemodynamic response; Human; Near infrared spectrometry; Nervous system diseases; Newborn; Radiodiagnosis; Dependence; Infant; hemodynamic response; behavioral state; age dependence; Hemodynamics; functional near-infrared spectroscopy; infants; visual stimulation
• ISSN: 1065-9471; 1097-0193
• DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20411

Brain activity is associated with physiological changes, which alter the optical properties of tissue. These changes can be detected by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Aim of the study was to determine changes in cerebral oxygenation in response to stimulation in the visual cortex in newborn infants during spontaneous sleep in the first days of life. We used an in‐house developed multichannel NIRS imaging instrument, the MCP‐II, to measure changes in concentration of oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) in specific brain areas. In 10 out of 15 subjects, a significant increase in O2Hb and/or a significant decrease in HHb were found in one or more channels over the occipital cortex. During stimulation, O2Hb increased by a mean of 0.98 μmol/l, HHb decreased by a mean 0.17 μmol/l, and total‐Hb increased by a mean of 0.81 μmol/l. The hemodynamic response to visual stimulation in the occipital cortex in newborn infants is similar to adults. The increase in O2Hb and the simultaneous decrease in HHb during stimulation suggest an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) that overcompensates for the increased oxygen consumption (CMRO2) in the activated cortical area. Hum Brain Mapp, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.