La financiación de este trabajo fue proporcionado en parte por el Estado de Pennsylvania # 4100037709 # 240468 subcontratación y la Universidad de Drexel subcontratar # 280773.

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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Memory+consolidation+and+contextual+interference+effects+with+computer+games.">Memory consolidation and contextual interference effects with computer games.</a> Perc Motor Skills. 97, 581-589 (2003).</li><li>Magill, R. A., Hall, K. 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J., Diamond, S. G., Franceschini, M. A., Boas, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HomER:+a+review+of+time-series+analysis+methods+for+near-infrared+spectroscopy+of+the+brain.">HomER: a review of time-series analysis methods for near-infrared spectroscopy of the brain.</a> Appl Opt. 48, 280-298 (2009).</li><li>Zhang, Q., Strangman, G., Ganis, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adaptive+filtering+to+reduce+global+interference+in+non-invasive+NIRS+measures+of+brain+activation:+How+well+and+when+does+it+work?.">Adaptive filtering to reduce global interference in non-invasive NIRS measures of brain activation: How well and when does it work?.</a> Neuroimage. 45, 788-794 (2009).</li><li>Izzetoglu, M., Devaraj, A., Bunce, S., Onaral, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motion+artifact+cancellation+in+NIR+spectroscopy+using+Wiener+filtering.">Motion artifact cancellation in NIR spectroscopy using Wiener filtering.</a> IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 52, 934-938 (2005).</li><li>Cope, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The development of a near infrared spectroscopy system and its application for non invasive monitoring of cerebral blood and tissue oxygenation in the newborn infant. , (1991).</li><li>Elwell, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantification+of+adult+cerebral+hemodynamics+by+near-infrared+spectroscopy.">Quantification of adult cerebral hemodynamics by near-infrared spectroscopy.</a> Journal of Applied Physiology. 77, 2753-2753 (1994).</li><li>Wyatt, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitation+of+cerebral+blood+volume+in+human+infants+by+near-infrared+spectroscopy.">Quantitation of cerebral blood volume in human infants by near-infrared spectroscopy.</a> Journal of Applied Physiology. 68, 1086-1086 (1990).</li><li>Ayaz, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy based Brain Computer Interface PhD thesis [dissertation]. , (2010).</li><li>Wood, J. N., Grafman, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+prefrontal+cortex:+processing+and+representational+perspectives.">Human prefrontal cortex: processing and representational perspectives.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 4, 139-147 (2003).</li><li>Shadmehr, R., Holcomb, H. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+correlates+of+motor+memory+consolidation.">Neural correlates of motor memory consolidation.</a> Science. 277, 821-825 (1997).</li></ol>

Dispositivos fNIR, LLC fabrica el instrumento de imágenes cerebrales ópticas e IP con licencia y know-how de la Universidad de Drexel. H. Ayaz, Izzetoglu M., K. y Izzetoglu Onaral B. estuvieron involucrados en el desarrollo de la tecnología y por lo tanto ofrece una pequeña parte de los nuevos dispositivos de arranque firme fNIR, LLC.

La corteza prefrontal (PFC) en el cerebro humano facilita el control cognitivo sobre la coordinación de los pensamientos y acciones en relación con los objetivos internos. En particular, el PFC anterior / dorsolateral se sabe que median las funciones cognitivas superiores, tales como, administración de tareas de planificación y la navegación espacial 25. fNIR es una herramienta portátil, el cerebro control seguro y no invasivo que se ha utilizado en el ámbito clínico, de laboratorio y naturales para estudiar la activación cerebral. Este estudio exploratorio ha demostrado el uso de la Suite Laberinto y fNIR para estudiar los aspectos neuroconductuales de la navegación espacial. En este estudio exploratorio, la plataforma MazeSuite se utiliza en conjunción con fNIR para estudiar los aspectos neuroconductuales de la navegación espacial en la PFC dorsolateral y para demostrar que la combinación de estas dos herramientas. MazeSuite es una plataforma experimental de diseño, presentación y análisis. Permite la creación y la aplicación de simples escenarios en 3D con una interfaz gráfica de usuario amigable y registra automáticamente las medidas de comportamiento para dentro de sujeto o sujetos en todas las comparaciones. Durante la presentación de los entornos de MazeSuite, simultánea sincronizado y mediciones fNIR fueron tomadas con un disponible en el mercado, el sistema portátil, continua fNIR onda (Imager 1000, dispositivos fNIR, LLC) y COBI software Studio 15. fNIR previamente se ha establecido como un método seguro y eficaz herramienta de monitorización cerebral no invasiva en el ámbito clínico, de laboratorio y naturales para el estudio de la activación cerebral 7,11 y se utiliza en este estudio para investigar las respuestas cognitivas asociadas con la interferencia contextual en las tareas de navegación espacial. Para examinar los efectos de interferencia para la práctica del contexto, los sujetos se presentaron, ya sea con una baja interferencia (BLK) o la interferencia de alta (RND) para la práctica. Estos programas de prácticas distintas se utilizaron para probar el efecto del aprendizaje virtual de múltiples tareas espaciales laberinto de navegación a través de pruebas de la adquisición, retención y transferencia. Los resultados indican que el comportamiento de las órdenes de la práctica tanto, hay una tendencia monótona decreciente en el tiempo total necesario para completar laberinto, lo que sugiere que en la práctica los temas, que completó cada laberinto en períodos más cortos de tiempo. Además, la velocidad media con que los sujetos navegar el laberinto (la velocidad del laberinto) se incrementó con la práctica. Estas mejoras en las medidas de comportamiento a través del tiempo se espera que las inferencias de aprendizaje. La media de oxi-Hb cambios de concentración durante las pruebas de la práctica indican que la práctica BLK requiere una mayor activación cerebral en comparación con el fin de la práctica RND. RND práctica resultó en tiempo de finalización más rápida y más corta longitud de camino en comparación con el fin de la práctica BLK, tanto para la retención y transferencia, respectivamente. Una tendencia descendente observada en el promedio de oxi-Hb y la práctica de BLK RND entre los ensayos que indica la retención de una menor actividad en el PFC. Este hallazgo se espera que investigaciones previas han sugerido que hay una reducción en la actividad de la PFC durante las últimas etapas de aprendizaje 12,26. Por otra parte, la navegación en nuevos laberintos durante la fase de transferencia requiere una mayor activación cerebral de sujetos práctica BLK en comparación con la práctica RND tema. Dado que el fin de la práctica fue diferente para las tareas que ya han aprendido (es decir, maze1, maze2 y maze3), este orden estratificado aleatorio práctica para el sujeto que aprendió las tareas de manera secuencial (BLK práctica) para haber sido lo suficientemente novedoso para requerir un esfuerzo adicional y recursos cognitivos para realizar las tareas 12,26. Sin embargo, para la práctica RND, la fase de transferencia de la activación neural no fue mayor que la fase de retención. Estos resultados corroboran los hallazgos del PET con la navegación espacial de los laberintos virtuales reportados por Van Horn y sus colegas 12. En resumen, hemos descrito el uso de MazeSuite en combinación con COBI Estudio para un estudio sobre los efectos de la interferencia contextual relacionada con la práctica para la hora de aprender tareas de navegación espacial. Los métodos fNIR discutido aquí no se limitan a las tareas de navegación espacial y se puede utilizar para una variedad de tareas en otros estudios de neuroimagen. Fases de diseño, implementación, adquisición de datos y el análisis del estudio fueron explicados con la intención de proporcionar una guía para futuros estudios.

<ul><li> Laberinto suite www.mazesuite.com </li><li> fNIR Imager 1000 www.fnirdevices.com </li></ul>

using mazesuite and functional near infrared spectroscopy to study learning in spatial navigation

MazeSuite es un completo conjunto de herramientas para preparar, presentar y analizar los experimentos espaciales de navegación y 1. MazeSuite se puede utilizar para diseñar y editar adaptado entornos virtuales 3D, un seguimiento del rendimiento de los participantes de comportamiento dentro del entorno virtual y la sincronización con dispositivos externos de las medidas fisiológicas y de neuroimagen, como el electroencefalograma y seguimiento de los ojos. Funcionales espectroscopia de infrarrojo cercano (fNIR) es una técnica de imágenes cerebrales óptico que permite la monitorización continua y no invasiva, portátil y de los cambios en la oxigenación de la sangre cerebral relacionada con las funciones del cerebro humano 2-7. En los fNIR última década se utiliza para controlar con eficacia las tareas cognitivas como la atención, la memoria de trabajo y la resolución de problemas 11.7. fNIR puede ser implementado en forma de un dispositivo portátil y mínimamente invasivo, tiene la capacidad de monitorear la actividad cerebral en ambientes ecológicamente válida. Las funciones cognitivas evaluadas a través de la realización de tareas implican patrones de activación cerebral de la corteza prefrontal (PFC) que van desde el rendimiento de la novela tarea inicial, después de la práctica y en la retención de 12. Utilizando la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET), Van Horn y sus colegas encontraron que el flujo sanguíneo cerebral regional se activó en el lóbulo frontal derecho durante la codificación (es decir, el rendimiento ingenuo inicial) de la navegación espacial de los laberintos virtuales, mientras que hubo poca o ninguna activación de la regiones frontales después de la práctica y durante las pruebas de retención. Además, los efectos de la interferencia contextual, un fenómeno de aprendizaje relacionados con la organización de la práctica, son evidentes cuando los individuos adquieren múltiples tareas en horarios diferentes prácticas 13,14. La interferencia de alta contextual (horario de la práctica al azar) se crea cuando las tareas que hay que aprender se presentan de manera no secuencial, orden impredecible. Baja interferencia contextual (horario bloqueado la práctica) se crea cuando las tareas que hay que aprender se presentan en un orden predecible. Nuestro objetivo es doble: en primer lugar para ilustrar el proceso de diseño de protocolos experimentales y el uso de MazeSuite, y en segundo lugar, para demostrar la instalación e implementación del sistema de control de la actividad cerebral fNIR con óptica cognitiva del Cerebro (COBI) Studio 15. Para ilustrar nuestros objetivos, una sub-muestra de un estudio se informa que muestran el uso de ambos MazeSuite y Studio COBI en un solo experimento. El estudio consiste en la evaluación de la actividad cognitiva de la PFC en la adquisición y el aprendizaje de tareas laberinto computadora para pedidos bloqueados y al azar. Dos adultos diestros (un hombre y una mujer) realizó 315 adquisición, la retención de 30 y 20 ensayos de transferencia a través de cuatro días. Fases de diseño, implementación, adquisición de datos y el análisis del estudio fueron explicados con la intención de proporcionar una guía para futuros estudios.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation at JoVE.com

Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation

MazeSuite es un completo conjunto de herramientas para preparar, presentar y analizar los experimentos de navegación y espacial. Funcionales espectroscopia de infrarrojo cercano (fNIR) es una técnica de imágenes cerebrales óptico que permite el monitoreo no invasivo y portátil de los cambios cerebrales oxigenación de la sangre. Este documento resume el uso colectivo de MazeSuite y fNIR dentro de un paradigma de procesamiento de aprendizaje cognitivo.

Utilizando MazeSuite y funcional espectroscopia cercana al infrarrojo para estudiar el aprendizaje de la navegación espacial

MazeSuite is a complete toolset to prepare, present and analyze navigational and spatial experiments1. MazeSuite can be used to design and edit adapted ...

using-mazesuite-functional-near-infrared-spectroscopy-to-study

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

30.3K vistas.  Drexel University. MazeSuite es un completo conjunto de herramientas para preparar, presentar y analizar los experimentos de navegación y espacial. Funcionales espectroscopia de infrarrojo cercano (fNIR) es una técnica de imágenes cerebrales óptico que permite el monitoreo no invasivo y portátil de los cambios cerebrales oxigenación de la sangre. Este documento resume el uso colectivo de MazeSuite y fNIR dentro de un paradigma de procesamiento de aprendizaje cognitivo.

Video: Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation

Functional Neuroimaging Using Ultrasonic Blood-brain Barrier Disruption and Manganese-enhanced MRI

Although mice are the dominant model system for studying the genetic and molecular underpinnings of neuroscience, functional neuroimaging in mice remains technically challenging. One approach, Activation-Induced Manganese-enhanced MRI (AIM MRI), has been used successfully to map neuronal activity in rodents 1-5. In AIM MRI, Mn2+ acts a calcium analog and accumulates in depolarized neurons 6,7. Because Mn2+ shortens the T1 tissue property, regions of elevated neuronal activity will enhance in MRI. Furthermore, Mn2+ clears slowly from the activated regions; therefore, stimulation can be performed outside the magnet prior to imaging, enabling greater experimental flexibility. However, because Mn2+ does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the need to open the BBB has limited the use of AIM MRI, especially in mice.
One tool for opening the BBB is ultrasound. Though potentially damaging, if ultrasound is administered in combination with gas-filled microbubbles (i.e., ultrasound contrast agents), the acoustic pressure required for BBB opening is considerably lower. This combination of ultrasound and microbubbles can be used to reliably open the BBB without causing tissue damage 8-11.
Here, a method is presented for performing AIM MRI by using microbubbles and ultrasound to open the BBB. After an intravenous injection of perflutren microbubbles, an unfocused pulsed ultrasound beam is applied to the shaved mouse head for 3 minutes. For simplicity, we refer to this technique of BBB Opening with Microbubbles and UltraSound as BOMUS 12. Using BOMUS to open the BBB throughout both cerebral hemispheres, manganese is administered to the whole mouse brain. After experimental stimulation of the lightly sedated mice, AIM MRI is used to map the neuronal response.
To demonstrate this approach, herein BOMUS and AIM MRI are used to map unilateral mechanical stimulation of the vibrissae in lightly sedated mice 13. Because BOMUS can open the BBB throughout both hemispheres, the unstimulated side of the brain is used to control for nonspecific background stimulation. The resultant 3D activation map agrees well with published representations of the vibrissae regions of the barrel field cortex 14. The ultrasonic opening of the BBB is fast, noninvasive, and reversible; and thus this approach is suitable for high-throughput and/or longitudinal studies in awake mice.

A technique is described for broadly opening the blood-brain barrier in the mouse using microbubbles and ultrasound. Using this technique, manganese can be administered to the mouse brain. Because manganese is an MRI contrast agent that accumulates in depolarized neurons, this approach enables imaging of neuronal activity.

Neuroimagen Funcional Utilizando ultrasonidos hematoencefálica perturbación de la barrera y la RM-manganeso mayor

Although mice are the dominant model system for studying the genetic and molecular underpinnings of neuroscience, functional neuroimaging in mice remains ...

Investigación

Neurociencias

Immunohistochemical Visualization of Hippocampal Neuron Activity After Spatial Learning in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Induction of phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase (pERK) is a reliable molecular readout of learning-dependent neuronal activation. Here, we describe a pERK immunohistochemistry protocol to study the profile of hippocampal neuron activation following exposure to a spatial learning task in a mouse model characterized by cognitive deficits of neurodevelopmental origin. Specifically, we used pERK immunostaining to study neuronal activation following Morris water maze (MWM, a classical hippocampal-dependent learning task) in Engrailed-2 knockout (En2-/-) mice, a model of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As compared to wild-type (WT) controls, En2-/- mice showed significant spatial learning deficits in the MWM. After MWM, significant differences in the number of pERK-positive neurons were detected in specific hippocampal subfields of En2-/- mice, as compared to WT animals. Thus, our protocol can robustly detect differences in pERK-positive neurons associated to hippocampal-dependent learning impairment in a mouse model of ASD. More generally, our protocol can be applied to investigate the profile of hippocampal neuron activation in both genetic or pharmacological mouse models characterized by cognitive deficits.

We describe an immunohistochemistry protocol to study the profile of hippocampal neuron activation following exposure to a spatial learning task in a mouse model characterized by cognitive deficits of neurodevelopmental origin. This protocol can be applied to both genetic or pharmacological mouse models characterized by cognitive deficits.

Visualización inmunohistoquímico de hipocampo Neurona Actividad Después espacial aprendizaje en un modelo de ratón de los trastornos del desarrollo neurológico

Induction of phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase (pERK) is a reliable molecular readout of learning-dependent neuronal activation. Here, we ...

Electrophysiological Method for Recording Intracellular Voltage Responses of Drosophila Photoreceptors and Interneurons to Light Stimuli In Vivo

Voltage responses of insect photoreceptors and visual interneurons can be accurately recorded with conventional sharp microelectrodes. The method described here enables the investigator to measure long-lasting (from minutes to hours) high-quality intracellular responses from single Drosophila R1-R6 photoreceptors and Large Monopolar Cells (LMCs) to light stimuli. Because the recording system has low noise, it can be used to study variability among individual cells in the fly eye, and how their outputs reflect the physical properties of the visual environment. We outline all key steps in performing this technique. The basic steps in constructing an appropriate electrophysiology set-up for recording, such as design and selection of the experimental equipment are described. We also explain how to prepare for recording by making appropriate (sharp) recording and (blunt) reference electrodes. Details are given on how to fix an intact fly in a bespoke fly-holder, prepare a small window in its eye and insert a recording electrode through this hole with minimal damage. We explain how to localize the center of a cell's receptive field, dark- or light-adapt the studied cell, and to record its voltage responses to dynamic light stimuli. Finally, we describe the criteria for stable normal recordings, show characteristic high-quality voltage responses of individual cells to different light stimuli, and briefly define how to quantify their signaling performance. Many aspects of the method are technically challenging and require practice and patience to master. But once learned and optimized for the investigator's experimental objectives, it grants outstanding in vivo neurophysiological data.

Electrophysiological Method for Recording Intracellular Voltage Responses of Drosophila Photoreceptors and Interneurons to Light Stimuli In Vivo

Sharp microelectrodes enable accurate electrophysiological characterization of photoreceptor and visual interneuron output in living Drosophila. Here we show how to use this method to record high-quality voltage responses of individual cells to controlled light stimulation. This method is ideal for studying neural information processing in insect compound eyes.

Método electrofisiológico para registrar las respuestas de voltaje intracelular<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Los fotorreceptores y interneuronas a la luz Estímulos<em&gt; En Vivo</em

Voltage responses of insect photoreceptors and visual interneurons can be accurately recorded with conventional sharp microelectrodes. The method ...

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Clinical research has leveraged a variety of paradigms to assess cognitive decline, commonly targeting spatial learning and memory abilities. However, interest in the cognitive processes of nonmodel species, typically within an ecological context, has also become an emerging field of study. In particular, interest in the cognitive processes in reptiles is growing although experimental studies on reptilian cognition are sparse. The few reptilian studies that have experimentally tested for spatial learning and memory have used rodent paradigms modified for use in reptiles. However, ecologically important aspects of the physiology and behavior of this taxonomic group must be taken into account when testing for spatially based cognition. Here, we describe modifications of the dry land Barnes maze and associated testing protocol that can improve performance when probing for spatial learning and memory ability in small squamate reptiles. The described paradigm and procedures were successfully used with male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), demonstrating that spatial learning and memory can be assessed in this taxonomic group with an ecologically relevant apparatus and protocol.

This paper describes a modification of the Barnes maze, a standard rodent paradigm used to assess spatial memory and learning, for use in small squamate reptiles.

La evaluación del aprendizaje espacial y la memoria en pequeños reptiles escamosos

Clinical research has leveraged a variety of paradigms to assess cognitive decline, commonly targeting spatial learning and memory abilities. However, ...

Neuroimaging Field Methods Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Neuroimaging to Study Global Child Development: Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Portable neuroimaging approaches provide new advances to the study of brain function and brain development with previously inaccessible populations and in remote locations. This paper shows the development of field functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging to the study of child language, reading, and cognitive development in a rural village setting of C&#244;te d&#39;Ivoire. Innovation in methods and the development of culturally appropriate neuroimaging protocols allow&#160;a first-time look into the brain&#39;s development and children&#39;s learning outcomes in understudied environments. This paper demonstrates protocols for transporting and setting up a mobile laboratory, discusses considerations for field versus laboratory neuroimaging, and presents a guide for developing neuroimaging consent procedures and building meaningful long-term collaborations with local government and science partners. Portable neuroimaging methods can be used to study complex child development contexts, including the impact of significant poverty and adversity on brain development. The protocol presented here has been developed for use in C&#244;te d&#39;Ivoire, the world&#39;s primary source of cocoa, and where reports of child labor in the cocoa sector are common. Yet, little is known about the impact of child labor on brain development and learning. Field neuroimaging methods have the potential to yield new insights into such urgent issues, and the development of children globally.

Neuroimaging Field Methods Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy NIRS Neuroimaging to Study Global Child Development: Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Portable neuroimaging approaches (functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy) provide advances to the study of the brain in previously inaccessible regions; here, rural C&#244;te d&#39;Ivoire. Innovation in methods and development of culturally-appropriate neuroimaging protocols permits novel study of the brain&#39;s development and children&#39;s learning outcomes in environments with significant poverty and adversity.

Campo de neuroimaging métodos funcionales cerca espectroscopia infrarroja (NIRS) neuroimagen para estudiar el desarrollo Global del niño: zonas rurales de África subsahariana

Portable neuroimaging approaches provide new advances to the study of brain function and brain development with previously inaccessible populations and in ...

Conducting Hyperscanning Experiments with Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Concurrent brain recordings of two or more interacting persons, an approach termed hyperscanning, are gaining increasing importance for our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of social interactions, and possibly interpersonal relationships. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is well suited for conducting hyperscanning experiments because it measures local hemodynamic effects with a high sampling rate and, importantly, it can be applied in natural settings, not requiring strict motion restrictions. In this article, we present a protocol for conducting fNIRS hyperscanning experiments with parent-child dyads and for analyzing brain-to-brain synchrony. Furthermore, we discuss critical issues and future directions, regarding the experimental design, spatial registration of the fNIRS channels, physiological influences and data analysis methods. The described protocol is not specific to parent-child dyads, but can be applied to a variety of different dyadic constellations, such as adult strangers, romantic partners or siblings. To conclude, fNIRS hyperscanning has the potential to yield new insights into the dynamics of the ongoing social interaction, which possibly go beyond what can be studied by examining the activities of individual brains.

The present protocol describes how to conduct fNIRS hyperscanning experiments and analyze brain-to-brain synchrony. Further, we discuss challenges and possible solutions.

Realización de experimentos de Hyperscanning con funcional espectroscopia del infrarrojo cercano

Concurrent brain recordings of two or more interacting persons, an approach termed hyperscanning, are gaining increasing importance for our understanding ...

Using Near-infrared Fluorescence and High-resolution Scanning to Measure Protein Expression in the Rodent Brain

Neuroscience is the study of how cells in the brain mediate various functions. Measuring protein expression in neurons and glia is critical for the study of neuroscience as cellular function is determined by the composition and activity of cellular proteins. In this article, we describe how immunocytochemistry can be combined with near-infrared high-resolution scanning to provide a semi-quantitative measure of protein expression in distinct brain regions. This technique can be used for single or double protein expression in the same brain region. Measuring proteins in this fashion can be used to obtain a relative change in protein expression with an experimental manipulation, molecular signature of learning and memory, activity in molecular pathways, and neural activity in multiple brain regions. Using the correct proteins and statistical analysis, functional connectivity among brain regions can be determined as well. Given the ease of implementing immunocytochemistry in a laboratory, using immunocytochemistry with near-infrared high-resolution scanning can expand the ability of the neuroscientist to examine neurobiological processes at a systems level.

Here, we present a protocol that uses near-infrared dyes in conjunction with immunohistochemistry and high-resolution scanning to assay proteins in brain regions.

Uso de fluorescencia de infrarrojo cercano y escaneo de alta resolución para medir la expresión de proteína en el cerebro de roedores

Neuroscience is the study of how cells in the brain mediate various functions. Measuring protein expression in neurons and glia is critical for the study ...

Conducting Concurrent Electroencephalography and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Recordings with a Flanker Task

Concurrent EEG and fNIRS recordings offer an excellent opportunity to gain a full understanding of the neural mechanism of cognitive processing by inspecting the relationship between the neural and hemodynamic signals. EEG is an electrophysiological technology that can measure the rapid neuronal activity of the cortex, whereas fNIRS relies on the hemodynamic responses to infer brain activation. The combination of EEG and fNIRS neuroimaging techniques can identify more features and reveal more information associated with the functioning of the brain. In this protocol, fused EEG-fNIRS measurements were performed for concurrent recordings of evoked-electrical potentials and hemodynamic responses during a Flanker task. In addition, the critical steps for setting up the hardware and software system as well as the procedures for data acquisition and analysis were provided and discussed in detail. It is expected that the present protocol can pave a new avenue for improving the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying various cognitive processes by using the EEG and fNIRS signals.

The present protocol describes how to perform concurrent EEG and fNIRS recordings and how to inspect the relationship between the EEG and fNIRS data.&#160;

Realización de electroencefalografía concurrente y grabaciones funcionales de espectroscopia de infrarrojo cercano con una tarea de flanqueador

Concurrent EEG and fNIRS recordings offer an excellent opportunity to gain a full understanding of the neural mechanism of cognitive processing by ...

Qualitative and Comparative Cortical Activity Data Analyses from a Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Experiment Applying Block Design

Neuroimaging studies play a pivotal role in the evaluation of pre- vs. post-interventional neurological conditions such as in rehabilitation and surgical treatment. Among the many neuroimaging technologies used to measure brain activity, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) enables the evaluation of dynamic cortical activities by measuring the local hemoglobin levels similar to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Also, due to lesser physical restriction in fNIRS, multiple variants of sensorimotor tasks can be evaluated. Many laboratories have developed several methods for fNIRS data analysis; however, despite the fact that the general principles are the same, there is no universally standardized method. Here, we present the qualitative and comparative analytic methods of data obtained from a multi-channel fNIRS experiment using a block design. For qualitative analysis, we used a software for NIRS as a mass-univariate approach based on the generalized linear model. The NIRS-SPM analysis shows qualitative results for each session by visualizing the activated area during the task. In addition, the non-invasive three-dimensional digitizer can be used to estimate the fNIRS channel locations relative to the brain. To corroborate the NIRS-SPM findings, the amplitude of the changes in hemoglobin levels induced by the sensorimotor task can be statistically analyzed by comparing the data obtained from two different sessions (before and after intervention) of the same study subject using a multi-channel hierarchical mixed model. Our methods can be used to measure the pre- vs. post-intervention analysis in a variety of neurological disorders such as movement disorders, cerebrovascular diseases, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

We describe the analysis of continuous-wave functional near-infrared spectroscopy experiment using a block design with a sensorimotor task. To increase the reliability of the data analysis, we used the qualitative general linear model-based statistical parametric mapping and the comparative hierarchical mixed models for multi-channels.

Análisis cualitativos y comparativos de datos de actividad cortical de un experimento funcional de espectroscopia de infrarrojo cercano aplicando el diseño de bloques

Neuroimaging studies play a pivotal role in the evaluation of pre- vs. post-interventional neurological conditions such as in rehabilitation and surgical ...

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

fNIRS hyperscanning is widely used to detect the neurobiological underpinnings of social interaction. With this technique, researchers qualify the concurrent brain activity of two or more interactive individuals with a novel index called inter-brain synchrony (IBS) (i.e., phase and/or amplitude alignment of the neuronal or hemodynamic signals across time). A protocol for conducting fNIRS hyperscanning experiments on collaborative learning dyads in a naturalistic learning environment is presented here. Further, a pipeline of analyzing IBS of oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) signal is explained. Specifically, the experimental design, the process of NIRS data recording, data analysis methods, and future directions are all discussed. Overall, implementing a standardized fNIRS hyperscanning pipeline is a fundamental part of second-person neuroscience. Also, this is in line with the call for open-science to aid the reproducibility of research.

The protocol for conducting fNIRS hyperscanning experiments on collaborative learning dyads in a naturalistic learning environment is outlined. Further, a pipeline to analyze the Inter-Brain Synchrony (IBS) of oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) signals is presented.