Tech for Your Health
This brain imaging technology is an alternative to fMRIs.
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive brain imaging technology that uses near-infrared light to measure brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. This increasingly popular method offers a portable alternative to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) alongside other benefits.
Innovative fNIRS systems such as the OBELAB NIRSIT are being utilized in psychiatric and neurological care to track and assess changes in brain activity during cognitive tasks and treatment. This portable, high-resolution device features 48 channels and can check for signs of cognitive impairment or improvement related to a neurological disorder or injury, certain psychological conditions such as depression or PTSD, and general well-being. fNIRS is often used in combination with other assessment tools.
How Does It Work?
NIRSIT is a safe and easy-to-use system. Patients simply wear the imaging device around their head, which monitors their brain activity as they sit comfortably or perform certain activities. Auditory or visual stimuli may be introduced to see how the brain responds. A provider will be present and receive this real-time information, helping inform a personalized treatment plan.
The Benefits of fNIRS
By monitoring brain activity in real time, fNIRS can provide valuable insight on a patient’s cognitive activity, and it offers several advantages compared to an fMRI. While an fMRI is loud and requires patients to remain completely still, an fNIRS operates silently, and patients can talk and move naturally during the imaging process. It is also less expensive, making it cost-effective to conduct repeated measurements.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville® – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
