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A research team developed a technique that may be useful for completing functional brain imaging of infants’ brains. The ability to capture such has been limited because babies are unlikely to remain still during imaging. The team, based at Washington University School of Medicine, investigated use of high-density diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and published findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Patients wear a small cap that is attached to their head near the region of the brain that will be scanned. Attached to the inside surface of the cap are fiber optic cables. The cables serve two purposes, to shine light onto the surface of the head. Other cables collect the light deflection as it diffuses through the tissue of the head.

DOT scanning uses near-infrared light for scanning. The near-infrared portion of the light spectrum is not absorbed by human tissue. The light can pass through bony tissue. The rate and manner in which light is diffused is collected as a marker of both blood flow and blood vessel oxygenation. Increased blood flow and oxygenation are associated with active participation by that section of the brain.

The ability of DOT to effectively capture functional brain images was evaluated in a group of normal, healthy volunteers. The team stimulated the visual cortex of participants and evaluated the findings obtained with DOT imaging. Assessment of those results indicates a high contrast-to-noise ratio, with fosters visualization of the areas that are activated. The team concluded that the scanning with this technique is on par with that provided from scanning with fMRI and PET.

Updates to technology, particularly the development of fiber optic cables that are more dense, allows the integration of tomography. This additional component fosters evaluation of depth sectioning and is a key piece to improve analysis of findings.

The team is working with pediatric specialists to use the scanning for infants who require functional brain imaging. This approach may also allow examination of brain activity during completion of tasks that cannot be completed in the confined space required to complete fMRI.

Related story: ASL Perfusion Technology Available

August 24, 2007 Related topics: New Technology & Innovation, Imaging, Diagnostic, Radiology, Pediatrics