Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

NIRS is a simple, entirely non-invasive way of visualizing the metabolic activity associated with various brain functions – in our case, different aspects of cognitive development.  The NIRS headgear (GowerLabs, UK) contains source (red) and detector (blue) optodes, which emit infrared light, and then collect in order to measure the hemodynamic response to stimuli occurring within optode channels (the space between the sources and detectors).  These optodes are integrated into something that reflects a cross between a hat and a headband.  Infants tolerate this very well, and as a rule, the headgear can be placed in a matter of minutes.

Children will sit on their parents’ laps and watch stimuli displayed on the screen and/or listen to sounds.

For more information on the Gowerlabs NTS NIRS system, please visit: http://www.gowerlabs.co.uk