Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging optical brain-imaging technology that offers a relatively non-invasive, safe, portable, and low-cost method of both indirect and direct monitoring of brain activity. Most exciting is its potential to allow more ecologically valid investigations that can translate laboratory work into more realistic, everyday settings and clinical environments. Here, the unique and beneficial characteristics of fNIRS are presented by reviewing the relative merits and limitations of this technique vis-a-vis other brain-imaging technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Cross-validation efforts between fMRI and fNIRS as well as the possible hesitations for its deployment in clinical research and practice are discussed.

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