Open AccessFunctional imaging of cognition in an old-old population: A case for portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Theodore J. Huppert,
Helmet T. Karim,
Chia-Cheng Lin,
Bader A. Alqahtani,
Susan L. Greenspan,
Patrick J. Sparto
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0184918
Subject(s) - functional near infrared spectroscopy , stroop effect , dementia , cognition , population , neuroimaging , functional neuroimaging , psychology , audiology , cognitive decline , cognitive test , medicine , trail making test , clinical psychology , gerontology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , neuropsychology , pathology , disease , environmental health , prefrontal cortex
In this study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to record brain activation during cognitive testing in older individuals (88±6yo; N = 19) living in residential care communities. This population, which is often associated with loss of personal independence due to physical or cognitive decline associated with aging, is also often under-represented in neuroscience research because of a limited means to participate in studies which often take place in large urban or university centers. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility and initial results using a portable 8-source by 4-detector fNIRS system to measure brain activity from participants within residential care community centers. Using fNIRS, brain signals were recorded during a series of computerized cognitive tests, including a Symbol Digit Coding test (SDC), Stroop Test (ST), and Shifting Attention Test (SAT). The SDC and SAT elicited greater activity in the left middle frontal region of interest. Three components of the ST produced increases in the right middle frontal and superior frontal, and left superior frontal regions. An association between advanced age and increased activation in the right middle frontal region was observed during the incongruent ST. Although none of the participants had clinical dementia based on the short portable mental status questionnaire, the group performance was slightly below age-normed values on these cognitive tests. These results demonstrate the capability for obtaining functional neuroimaging measures in residential settings, which ultimately may aid in prognosis and care related to dementia in older adults.