Susan R. Hintz, David A. Benaron, Andrew M. Siegel, Anna Zourabian, David K. Stevenson, David A. Boas
Bedside functional imaging of the premature infant brain during passive motor activation
Background: Changes in regional brain blood flow and
hemoglobin oxygen saturation occur in the human cortex
in response to neural activation. Traditional functional
radiologic methods cannot provide continuous,
portable measurements. Imaging methods, which use
near-infrared light allow for non-invasive measurements
by taking advantage of the fact that hemoglobin is a
strong absorber at these wavelengths.
Aims: To test the feasibility of a new optical functional
imaging system in premature infants, and to obtain preliminary
brain imaging of passive motor activation in
this population.
Methods: A new optical imaging system, the Diffuse
Optical Tomography System (DOTS), was used to
provide real-time, bedside assessments. Custom-made
soft flexible fiberoptic probes were placed on two extremely
ill, mechanically ventilated 24 week premature
infants, and three healthier 32 week premature infants.
Passive motor stimulation protocols were used during
imaging.
Results: Specific movement of the arm resulted in reproducible
focal, contralateral changes in cerebral absorption.
The data suggest an overall increase in blood
volume to the imaged area, as well as an increase in
deoxyhemoglobin concentration. These findings in premature
infants differ from those expected in adults.
Conclusions: In the intensive care setting, continuous
non-invasive optical functional imaging could be critically
important and, with further study, may provide a
bedside monitoring tool for prospectively identifying
patients at high risk for brain injury.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 29, 08/2001
Pages: 335 - 343
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