What is it about?
This study is a demonstration of our ability to image brain function and metabolic activity using infrared light. , Using this novel, ground breaking technique we are able to non-invasively show how the cortex is activated by sound in normal hearing subjects, and in those with cochlear implants.
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Why is it important?
This study is important because it demonstrates that one can image brain function without the need to place a subject into a noisy scanner, or inject radioactive materials. It is compatible with patients who have cochlear implants, who cannot be scanned using MRI to the most part due to the magnetic force. Also, because this technique measures metabolic activity using light, it is not affected by the electromagnetic artifact generated by the cochlear implant as is the case with event-related or evoked potentials.
Perspectives
I have been personally involved with auditory neurodiagnostics for over four decades, and have contributed to the literature. This is a very exciting new tool allowing us to study brain functions and responses, not only in the realm of auditory science but in many other domains. For instance, I believe we could study vestibular conditions using this technique, as well. For me, this was almost as exciting as when I recorded the first newborn ABR, way back in 1979.
Paul Kileny
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Brain Imaging Investigation of Phonological Awareness and Passage Comprehension Abilities in Adult Recipients of Cochlear Implants, Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, April 2016, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2015_jslhr-l-14-0278.
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