fNIRS FOR BRAIN IMAGING AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION
A wireless, easy-to-use brain monitoring device for the playing field and beyond.
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive brain-imaging technology that uses light to measure changes in oxygenation levels in the prefrontal cortex. Dr. Izzetoglu developed a wireless fNIRS device that can be applied to the forehead to monitor changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. These readings, when paired with a tablet or laptop, provide insights into a player’s cognitive function, from memory to decision-making to attention and motor functioning. Her fNIRS monitoring system represents a noninvasive, field-ready modality for assessing an athlete’s cognitive functioning. And because the system uses light to make its readings, it’s more immune to motion effects, meaning an athlete can be in any position for a reading to be made.
Beyond the athletic field, Dr. Izzetoglu sees myriad applications for the field of personalized brain monitoring—for example, for workers in heavy industry or new drivers where vigilance for safety or attention to detail is required.
In addition to performance monitoring, Dr. Izzetoglu has received numerous government grants to explore the use of her fNIRS system to assess cognitive function or decline in the elderly and as point-of-care monitoring for the Department of Defense.
RESEARCHERS
Principal Investigator
Meltem Izzetoglu, PhD
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Biomedical Signals, Systems and Analysis Lab
Students
Joseph Gigantino ’22 EE, ’23 MSEE
Peter Rokowski ’13 CLAS, ’15 MS, Computer Engineering PhD student (ongoing)
Lam Dinh ’24 EE
Kathryn Stringer ’22 EE
Ana Ramos Guimaraes ’23 CpE
PROJECT DETAILS
Concussions: Coaches and trainers can use the fNIRS system to collect baseline cognitive data for a team’s players. If a player were to suffer a collision or concussion during a match or practice, a new reading can be taken on the field to assess whether it’s safe for the player to return to competition.
Beyond athletic performance: Continuous monitoring with this portable system could enhance training programs and routines by targeting key domains like memory and attention.
- Dr. Izzetoglu and Infrascan Inc. received a manufacturing innovation grant from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development to design and develop the first proof-of-concept prototype of the modular, wireless fNIRS sensor. The device interfaces with a custom mobile software application that is capable of collecting, processing and identifying a person’s cognitive state.
Patents:
- 2022 (US20230050974A1): “System and Method for Evaluating Reading Comprehension.” Status: Pending
- 2022 (US63326205): “System and Methods for Multimodal Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury and Hemorrhagic Shock.” Status: Pending.
- 2022 (US11457845B2): “Non-Invasive Brain Water Monitoring Device For Cerebral Edema and Cerebral Autoregulation Monitoring System and Method.” Status: Pending.
- 2021 (US20230181150A1): “Non-Invasive Monitoring of Intracranial Hemorrhage.” Status: Pending.
- 2018 (US9955901B2): “Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Monitor for Depth of Anesthesia.” Status: Patent Awarded.
- 2013 (US8346331B2) “Deception Detection and Query Methodology for Determining Deception via Neuroimaging.” Status: Patent Awarded.
Title |
Agency |
Role |
Amount |
Period |
Status |
Collab. Res.: SCH: Early Assessment of Cognitive Decline using Multimodal Neuroimaging with Embedded Artificial Intelligence |
NIH-RO1 |
PI |
$1,196,123 |
9/2022-8/2026 |
Funded |
Portable Diffuse Optical Sensors for Point-of-care Monitoring in Prolonged Field Care |
DOD |
Co-PI |
$209,618 |
9/2020-9/2024 |
Funded |
Brain Predictors of Mobility and Falls in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis |
NIH-RO1 |
Co-PI |
$163,061 |
5/2020-2/2024 |
Funded |
Detection and Monitoring of Cognitive State and Performance: Effects of Age, Gender and Fitness |
VU S&PE Seed |
PI |
$25,000 |
9/2022-8/2023 |
Funded |
Central control and neuroinflammatory mechanisms of locomotion in older adults with HIV |
NIH-RO1 |
Co-PI |
$237,477 |
1/2023-12/2027 |
Funded |
Smart Brain Imager |
PA Manufac. - PADCED |
PI |
$93,294 |
8/2020- 12/2022 |
Funded |
Detection and Monitoring of Student Athlete’s Cognitive State and Performance Metrics |
VU S&PE Seed |
PI |
$25,000 |
6/2022–5/2023 |
Funded |
Rokowski P, Izzetoglu, M. “Towards a Mobile-First All-in-One Cognitive Assessment-Framework” BMES Conference 2021
H Reddy, P., Izzetoglu, M., Shewokis, P., Sangobowale, M., Diaz-Arrastia, R., & Izzetoglu, K. (2021). Evaluation of fNIRS Signal Components Elicited by Cognitive and Hypercapnic Stimuli. Scientific Reports. 11(1), 1-15.
Holtzer, R., Izzetoglu, M. (2020). Mild Cognitive Impairments Attenuate Prefrontal Cortex Activations during Walking in Older Adults. Brain Sciences, 10(7), 415.
Izzetoglu, M., & Holtzer, R. (2020). Effects of Processing Methods on fNIRS Signals Assessed During Active Walking Tasks in Older Adults. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 28(3), 699-709.
Project Lead
Meltem Izzetoglu, PhD
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Biomedical Signals, Systems and Analysis Lab
meltem.izzetoglu@villanova.edu