The development of the functional Near-infrared Cortical Imaging (fNCI).

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670625
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurosurgery
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: UGA Minako 自治医科大学, 医学部, 客員研究員 (40624789)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): WATANABE Eiju 自治医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50150272) ; DAN Ippeita 中央大学, 理工学部, 教授 (20399380)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SAITO Toshiyuki 京都産業大学, 総合生命科学部, 教授 (10162215)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 光トポグラフィー / ミニブタ / 脳機能 / 一般線形モデル解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique of the human brain hemodynamics. However, direct cortical measurement using fNIRS has yet to be realized.
We developed functional Near-infrared Cortical Imaging (fNCI), which enables the measurement of cortical hemodynamics directly from the brain surface with higher spatial resolution. We validated the fNCI system using miniature pigs. fNCI successfully detected the somatotopy of pig nostril sensation, as assessed in comparison with concurrent and sequential SEP measurements on the same stimulation sites.
Our new technique can measure the cerebral activities directly from the cortical surface with higher spatial resolution than that of the transcranial fNIRS. This study provides a clue for investigating the theoretical and technical principles of NIRS and possible application of our technique for direct cerebral blood flow monitoring during the human brain surgery.

Free Research Field

中枢神経系の生理学