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Molina-Rodríguez S, Mirete-Fructuoso M, Martínez LM, Ibañez-Ballesteros J. Frequency-domain analysis of fNIRS fluctuations induced by rhythmic mental arithmetic. Psychophysiology 2022; 59:e14063. [PMID: 35394075 PMCID: PMC9540762 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an increasingly used technology for imaging neural correlates of cognitive processes. However, fNIRS signals are commonly impaired by task‐evoked and spontaneous hemodynamic oscillations of non‐cerebral origin, a major challenge in fNIRS research. In an attempt to isolate the task‐evoked cortical response, we investigated the coupling between hemodynamic changes arising from superficial and deep layers during mental effort. For this aim, we applied a rhythmic mental arithmetic task to induce cyclic hemodynamic fluctuations suitable for effective frequency‐resolved measurements. Twenty university students aged 18–25 years (eight males) underwent the task while hemodynamic changes were monitored in the forehead using a newly developed NIRS device, capable of multi‐channel and multi‐distance recordings. We found significant task‐related fluctuations for oxy‐ and deoxy‐hemoglobin, highly coherent across shallow and deep tissue layers, corroborating the strong influence of surface hemodynamics on deep fNIRS signals. Importantly, after removing such surface contamination by linear regression, we show that the frontopolar cortex response to a mental math task follows an unusual inverse oxygenation pattern. We confirm this finding by applying for the first time an alternative method to estimate the neural signal, based on transfer function analysis and phasor algebra. Altogether, our results demonstrate the feasibility of using a rhythmic mental task to impose an oscillatory state useful to separate true brain functional responses from those of non‐cerebral origin. This separation appears to be essential for a better understanding of fNIRS data and to assess more precisely the dynamics of the neuro‐visceral link. We proposed the use of rhythmic mental arithmetic tasks to induce cyclic oscillations in multi‐distance fNIRS signals measured on the forehead, suitable for effective frequency‐domain analysis to better identify the actual neural functional response. We confirm the impairment of deep signals by task‐evoked non‐cerebral confounds, while providing evidence for an inverse oxygenation response in the frontopolar cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Molina-Rodríguez
- Cellular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, Spanish National Research Council-Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Marcos Mirete-Fructuoso
- Cellular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, Spanish National Research Council-Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Luis M Martínez
- Cellular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, Spanish National Research Council-Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain
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Kim M, Lee S, Dan I, Tak S. A deep convolutional neural network for estimating hemodynamic response function with reduction of motion artifacts in fNIRS. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35038682 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac4bfc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging technique for monitoring hemoglobin concentration changes in a non-invasive manner. However, subject movements are often significant sources of artifacts. While several methods have been developed for suppressing this confounding noise, the conventional techniques have limitations on optimal selections of model parameters across participants or brain regions. To address this shortcoming, we aim to propose a method based on a deep convolutional neural network (CNN). APPROACH The U-net is employed as a CNN architecture. Specifically, large-scale training and testing data are generated by combining variants of hemodynamic response function (HRF) with experimental measurements of motion noises. The neural network is then trained to reconstruct hemodynamic response coupled to neuronal activity with a reduction of motion artifacts. MAIN RESULTS Using extensive analysis, we show that the proposed method estimates the task-related HRF more accurately than the existing methods of wavelet decomposition and autoregressive models. Specifically, the mean squared error and variance of HRF estimates, based on the CNN, are the smallest among all methods considered in this study. These results are more prominent when the semi-simulated data contains variants of shapes and amplitudes of HRF. SIGNIFICANCE The proposed CNN method allows for accurately estimating amplitude and shape of HRF with significant reduction of motion artifacts. This method may have a great potential for monitoring HRF changes in real-life settings that involve excessive motion artifacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- MinWoo Kim
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, 49 Busandaehak-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Yangsan, 50612, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Seonjin Lee
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Ochang-eup, Cheongju, 28119, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Ippeita Dan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tama Campus 742-1 Higashinakano Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192-0393, JAPAN
| | - Sungho Tak
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Ochang-eup, Cheongju, 28119, Korea (the Republic of)
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Oyanagi K, Tsubaki A. Effects of increased respiratory rate on cortical oxygenated hemoglobin during low-intensity exercise. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2021; 291:103691. [PMID: 33992799 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2021.103691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to examine whether the end-tidal partial pressure of CO2 (PEtCO2) affects the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Participants were examined under the conditions of normal and increased ventilation. We measured O2Hb, mean blood pressure, skin blood flow, PEtCO2, respiratory rate, and minute volume at 30 % of the maximum oxygen uptake during exercise. ΔO2Hb and PEtCO2 during exercise were lower in the increased ventilation than in the normal ventilation condition. Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between ΔO2Hb and ΔMAP, ΔSBF, and PEtCO2. Correlation coefficients were 0.249 (p < 0.001) for ΔMAP, 0.343 (p < 0.001) for ΔSBF, and 0.315 (p < 0.001) for PEtCO2. In conclusion, we identified increased ventilation during bicycle ergometer exercise as a significant factor associated with significantly low PEtCO2 and ΔO2Hb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Oyanagi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Atsuhiro Tsubaki
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
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Da Silva Ferreira Barreto C, Zimeo Morais GA, Vanzella P, Sato JR. Combining the intersubject correlation analysis and the multivariate distance matrix regression to evaluate associations between fNIRS signals and behavioral data from ecological experiments. Exp Brain Res 2020; 238:2399-2408. [PMID: 32770351 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05895-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The development of methods to analyze data acquired using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in experiments similar to real-life situations is of great value in modern applied neuroscience. One of the most used methods to analyze fNIRS signals consists of the application of the general linear model on the observed hemodynamic signals. However, it implies limitations on the experimental design that must be constrained by triggers related to the stimuli protocols (such as block design or event related). In this work, a novel methodology is proposed to overcome such restrictions and allow more flexible protocols. The method combines the intersubject correlation analysis and the multivariate distance matrix regression to evaluate the brain-behavior relationship of subjects submitted to experiments with no trigger-based protocols. Its applicability is demonstrated throughout a naturalistic experiment about emotions conveyed by music. Thirty-two participants freely listened to instrumental excerpts from the operatic repertoire and reported the valences of the emotions conveyed by the musical segments. The method was able to find a statistically significant correlation between the subjects' fNIRS signals and valences of their emotional responses, for the excerpt that evoked the most negative valence. This result illustrates the potential of this approach as an alternative method to analyze fNIRS signals from experiments in which block design or task-related paradigms might not be suitable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patricia Vanzella
- Center of Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Unit for Applied Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Joao Ricardo Sato
- Center of Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Unit for Applied Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
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Wyser D, Mattille M, Wolf M, Lambercy O, Scholkmann F, Gassert R. Short-channel regression in functional near-infrared spectroscopy is more effective when considering heterogeneous scalp hemodynamics. NEUROPHOTONICS 2020; 7:035011. [PMID: 33029548 PMCID: PMC7523733 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.7.3.035011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Significance: The reliability of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements is reduced by systemic physiology. Short-channel regression algorithms aim at removing systemic "noise" by subtracting the signal measured at a short source-detector separation (mainly scalp hemodynamics) from the one of a long separation (brain and scalp hemodynamics). In literature, incongruent approaches on the selection of the optimal regressor signal are reported based on different assumptions on scalp hemodynamics properties. Aim: We investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of scalp hemodynamics over the sensorimotor cortex and evaluated its influence on the effectiveness of short-channel regressions. Approach: We performed hand-grasping and resting-state experiments with five subjects, measuring with 16 optodes over sensorimotor areas, including eight 8-mm channels. We performed detailed correlation analyses of scalp hemodynamics and evaluated 180 hand-grasping and 270 simulated (overlaid on resting-state measurements) trials. Five short-channel regressor combinations were implemented with general linear models. Three were chosen according to literature, and two were proposed based on additional physiological assumptions [considering multiple short channels and their Mayer wave (MW) oscillations]. Results: We found heterogeneous hemodynamics in the scalp, coming on top of a global close-to-homogeneous behavior (correlation 0.69 to 0.92). The results further demonstrate that short-channel regression always improves brain activity estimates but that better results are obtained when heterogeneity is assumed. In particular, we highlight that short-channel regression is more effective when combining multiple scalp regressors and when MWs are additionally included. Conclusion: We shed light on the selection of optimal regressor signals for improving the removal of systemic physiological artifacts in fNIRS. We conclude that short-channel regression is most effective when assuming heterogeneous hemodynamics, in particular when combining spatial- and frequency-specific information. A better understanding of scalp hemodynamics and more effective short-channel regression will promote more accurate assessments of functional brain activity in clinical and research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Wyser
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Department of Neonatology, Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
- Address all correspondence to Dominik Wyser, E-mail:
| | - Michelle Mattille
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Wolf
- University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Department of Neonatology, Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Lambercy
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Scholkmann
- University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Department of Neonatology, Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Bern, Institute of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roger Gassert
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
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Witmer JS, Aeschlimann EA, Metz AJ, Troche SJ, Rammsayer TH. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Recordings of Visuospatial Working Memory Processes. Part II: A Replication Study in Children on Sensitivity and Mental-Ability-Induced Differences in Functional Activation. Brain Sci 2018; 8:E152. [PMID: 30103538 PMCID: PMC6119993 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8080152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous study in young adults, we showed that hemodynamic changes as measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were sensitive for identifying visuospatial working memory (WM)-related functional brain activation in the prefrontal cortex. This functional activation, however, could not be verified for participants with far-above-average mental ability, suggesting different cognitive processes adopted by this group. The present study was designed to confirm these findings in 11- to 13-year-old children by applying the same study design, experimental task, fNIRS setup, and statistical approach. We successfully replicated the earlier findings on sensitivity of fNIRS with regard to visuospatial WM-specific task demands in our children sample. Likewise, mental-ability-induced differences in functional activation were even more pronounced in the children compared with in the young adults. By testing a children sample, we were able to not only replicate our previous findings based on adult participants but also generalize the validity of these findings to children. This latter aspect seems to be of particular significance considering the relatively large number of fNIRS studies on WM performance in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle S Witmer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Eva A Aeschlimann
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas J Metz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Stefan J Troche
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Pfeifer MD, Scholkmann F, Labruyère R. Signal Processing in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS): Methodological Differences Lead to Different Statistical Results. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 11:641. [PMID: 29358912 PMCID: PMC5766679 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though research in the field of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been performed for more than 20 years, consensus on signal processing methods is still lacking. A significant knowledge gap exists between established researchers and those entering the field. One major issue regularly observed in publications from researchers new to the field is the failure to consider possible signal contamination by hemodynamic changes unrelated to neurovascular coupling (i.e., scalp blood flow and systemic blood flow). This might be due to the fact that these researchers use the signal processing methods provided by the manufacturers of their measurement device without an advanced understanding of the performed steps. The aim of the present study was to investigate how different signal processing approaches (including and excluding approaches that partially correct for the possible signal contamination) affect the results of a typical functional neuroimaging study performed with fNIRS. In particular, we evaluated one standard signal processing method provided by a commercial company and compared it to three customized approaches. We thereby investigated the influence of the chosen method on the statistical outcome of a clinical data set (task-evoked motor cortex activity). No short-channels were used in the present study and therefore two types of multi-channel corrections based on multiple long-channels were applied. The choice of the signal processing method had a considerable influence on the outcome of the study. While methods that ignored the contamination of the fNIRS signals by task-evoked physiological noise yielded several significant hemodynamic responses over the whole head, the statistical significance of these findings disappeared when accounting for part of the contamination using a multi-channel regression. We conclude that adopting signal processing methods that correct for physiological confounding effects might yield more realistic results in cases where multi-distance measurements are not possible. Furthermore, we recommend using manufacturers' standard signal processing methods only in case the user has an advanced understanding of every signal processing step performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa D. Pfeifer
- Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adolescents, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland
| | - Felix Scholkmann
- Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rob Labruyère
- Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adolescents, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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