Multimodal Neuroimaging (fMRI and fNIRS) at WPI

Daffaie, Fatimah

Student Work

Multimodal Neuroimaging (fMRI and fNIRS) at WPI

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Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) is a measure of temporal correlation in the absence of an event or stimuli. The most common technique to analyze these networks is through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). While this method provides reliable, insightful data, it has inherent limitations. In recent studies, however, data suggests that an alternative modality referred to as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may offer a unique opportunity to investigate brain functionality and whole brain connectivity by proxy. This study analyzes cortical neural hemodynamics during resting-state using fNIRS for future collation with fMRI data and applications in whole brain RSFC research. For analysis, a sample set of seven participating healthy individuals over age 18 underwent multimodal neuroimaging utilizing both fMRI and fNIRS imaging techniques simultaneously. This data was processed in nirsLAB software using a generalized linear model (GLM) analysis to derive the areas of the cortex that experienced significant increases in hemoglobin. The results of this study did find spontaneous increases in hemoglobin in the four valid samples analyzed, as expected with resting-state data. However, the overall consensus was that the sample set experienced a substantial loss of data integrity across the 20 channels observed for each subject.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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