Wearable optical monitoring of brain function in healthy adults and people at risk of dementia

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a prominent tool for functional brain imaging in situations where traditional neuroimaging (e.g. fMRI) isn’t possible, such as in spaces like the Observatory.

NIRS has unique applications in dementia where the monitoring of brain function during natural behaviour and cognition can allow a unique quantification of neurodegeneration. Being able to monitor a patient’s brain function in the diagnosis, treatment and management of dementia quickly, non-invasively and in any scenario could have a huge impact on patient care.

This project is the first step towards this goal: developing an understanding of how the healthy brain functions in comparison to a brain at-risk of dementia, pathing the way to using NIRS technologies into the dementia clinic.

The project will involve the application of a new state-of-the-art high-density wearable NIRS device (Lumo, Gowerlabs) which is able to monitor cortical function in a completely non-invasive, ecological way with a spatial resolution comparable to fMRI and a temporal resolution greater than fMRI.

This will enable real-time measurement of brain haemo-dynamics which is be related to brain function via neurovascular coupling. The facilities at OHMC will allow the development of new NIRS study protocols, during both cognitive testing and in naturalistic scenarios (e.g. interaction with other people, or in a VR environment)in combination with other measurements, such as motion capture, eye-tracking and systemic physiology monitoring.