The application of near infrared spectroscopy in nutritional intervention studies

Abstract

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive optical imaging technique used to monitor cerebral blood flow (CBF) and by proxy neuronal activation. The use of NIRS in nutritional intervention studies is a relatively novel application of this technique, with only a small, but growing, number of trials published to date. These trials—in which the effects on CBF following administration of dietary components such as caffeine, polyphenols and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are assessed—have successfully demonstrated NIRS as a sensitive measure of change in hemodynamic response during cognitive tasks in both acute and chronic treatment intervention paradigms. The existent research in this area has been limited by the constraints of the technique itself however advancements in the measurement technology, paired with studies endeavoring increased sophistication in number and locations of channels over the head should render the use of NIRS in nutritional interventions particularly valuable in advancing our understanding of the effects of nutrients and dietary components on the brain.

Effects of Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Function in Mildly Hypertensive Older Adults

“…TCD quantification of increased BFV in the MCA, to evaluate cerebrovascular dilatation [ 5 ]. Our TCD technique can readily detect and quantify vasodilator responses throughout the extensive regions of brain tissue that the MCA supplies but cannot identify locations, whereas NIRS is limited to more superficial cortical regions but is also more localised (region specific) [ 20 ]. Thus, with both TCD and NIRS, the magnitude of response will vary according to the location and extent of brain tissue being activated by a specific cognitive task and will differ accordingly between techniques.…”

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess cognitive function in infants in rural Africa.

“…These findings highlight the sensitivity of fNIRS as a tool to provide an early biomarker of atypical development and to identify the physiological mechanisms behind atypical brain function. Recent fNIRS research in adults has evidenced changes in activation in response to nutritional intervention (for a review see 55 ), but to date there have been no such studies in infants. There is therefore a clear rationale for using fNIRS to provide early predictors of atypical development as a result poor nutrition and diet.…”

Does omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation enhance neural efficiency? A review of the literature

“…Near‐infrared spectroscopy estimates the fluctuations in oxygen levels during cognitive performance by measuring blood haemoglobin levels in the cortical tissue. Specifically, the amount of light absorbed by the chromophores oxygenated haemoglobin (oxy‐Hb) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (deoxy‐Hb) helps determine the levels of oxy‐Hb and deoxy‐Hb (Fallgatter and Strik, , Jackson and Kennedy, ).…”