ABSTRACT
Resting state cerebral dynamics has been a useful approach to explore the brain's functional organization. In this study, we employed graph theory to deeply investigate resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Our results suggest that network parameters are very similar across time and subjects. We also identified the most frequent connections between brain regions and the main hubs that participate in the spontaneous activity of brain hemodynamics. Similar to previous findings, we verified that symmetrically located brain areas are highly connected. Overall, our results introduce new insights in NIRS-based functional connectivity at rest.
ABSTRACT
A pilot study explores relative contributions of extra-cerebral (scalp/skull) versus brain (cerebral) tissues to the blood flow index determined by diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). Microvascular DCS flow measurements were made on the head during baseline and breath-holding/hyperventilation tasks, both with and without pressure. Baseline (resting) data enabled estimation of extra-cerebral flow signals and their pressure dependencies. A simple two-component model was used to derive baseline and activated cerebral blood flow (CBF) signals, and the DCS flow indices were also cross-correlated with concurrent Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (TCD) blood velocity measurements. The study suggests new pressure-dependent experimental paradigms for elucidation of blood flow contributions from extra-cerebral and cerebral tissues.