Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive method for monitoring brain activity by detecting hemodynamic changes. Studies have shown that it can identify ictal and pre-ictal hemodynamic variations, supporting its potential use as a complement to electroencephalography (EEG) in e...

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Main Authors: Netaniel Rein, Revital Shechter, Evgeny Tsizin, Mordekhay Medvedovsky, Michal Balberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3627
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author Netaniel Rein
Revital Shechter
Evgeny Tsizin
Mordekhay Medvedovsky
Michal Balberg
author_facet Netaniel Rein
Revital Shechter
Evgeny Tsizin
Mordekhay Medvedovsky
Michal Balberg
author_sort Netaniel Rein
collection DOAJ
description Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive method for monitoring brain activity by detecting hemodynamic changes. Studies have shown that it can identify ictal and pre-ictal hemodynamic variations, supporting its potential use as a complement to electroencephalography (EEG) in epilepsy monitoring. This study explores an expanded illumination and detection approach utilizing wide-based optodes and increased emitter–detector separation (EDS) to enhance fNIRS sensitivity to cortical hemodynamic changes while minimizing scalp contamination. A Monte Carlo simulation was designed to assess signal amplitude and sensitivity of fNIRS with varying emitter and detector diameters (1–15 mm) and EDS (30–50 mm). Signal strength, grey matter to scalp path ratio (GSPR), and percentage signal change per absorption coefficients (AC) variation were analyzed. Sensitivity to changes in AC of superficial and deep grey matter (SGM, DGM) and scalp was assessed. Increasing emitter and detector diameters substantially increased total detected photon packet weights, enabling practical use at larger EDS. Sensitivity to SGM AC changes tripled at 50 mm EDS, while GSPR increased by 80%, indicating reduced signal contamination from the scalp. Sensitivity to deep cortical hemodynamic changes also improved. Therefore, wide-based fNIRS optodes with increased EDS can enhance seizure-related hemodynamic detection, potentially improving epilepsy diagnostics.
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spelling doaj-art-08433984e2344b17a24247959248e3cf2025-08-20T02:21:47ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-06-012512362710.3390/s25123627Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey MatterNetaniel Rein0Revital Shechter1Evgeny Tsizin2Mordekhay Medvedovsky3Michal Balberg4Department of Neurology and Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem 9112001, IsraelNeuro Electro Light Center (NELC)—The Joint Research Center of Hadassah Medical Organization and Holon Institute of Technology, Kalman Yaakov Man 2, Jerusalem P.O. Box 12000, IsraelDepartment of Neurology and Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem 9112001, IsraelDepartment of Neurology and Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem 9112001, IsraelNeuro Electro Light Center (NELC)—The Joint Research Center of Hadassah Medical Organization and Holon Institute of Technology, Kalman Yaakov Man 2, Jerusalem P.O. Box 12000, IsraelFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive method for monitoring brain activity by detecting hemodynamic changes. Studies have shown that it can identify ictal and pre-ictal hemodynamic variations, supporting its potential use as a complement to electroencephalography (EEG) in epilepsy monitoring. This study explores an expanded illumination and detection approach utilizing wide-based optodes and increased emitter–detector separation (EDS) to enhance fNIRS sensitivity to cortical hemodynamic changes while minimizing scalp contamination. A Monte Carlo simulation was designed to assess signal amplitude and sensitivity of fNIRS with varying emitter and detector diameters (1–15 mm) and EDS (30–50 mm). Signal strength, grey matter to scalp path ratio (GSPR), and percentage signal change per absorption coefficients (AC) variation were analyzed. Sensitivity to changes in AC of superficial and deep grey matter (SGM, DGM) and scalp was assessed. Increasing emitter and detector diameters substantially increased total detected photon packet weights, enabling practical use at larger EDS. Sensitivity to SGM AC changes tripled at 50 mm EDS, while GSPR increased by 80%, indicating reduced signal contamination from the scalp. Sensitivity to deep cortical hemodynamic changes also improved. Therefore, wide-based fNIRS optodes with increased EDS can enhance seizure-related hemodynamic detection, potentially improving epilepsy diagnostics.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3627functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)seizure detectiongrey matterEEG
spellingShingle Netaniel Rein
Revital Shechter
Evgeny Tsizin
Mordekhay Medvedovsky
Michal Balberg
Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter
Sensors
functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
seizure detection
grey matter
EEG
title Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter
title_full Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter
title_fullStr Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter
title_full_unstemmed Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter
title_short Wide-Based Illumination and Detection in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Seizure Detection in Grey Matter
title_sort wide based illumination and detection in functional near infrared spectroscopy for enhanced seizure detection in grey matter
topic functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
seizure detection
grey matter
EEG
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3627
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AT evgenytsizin widebasedilluminationanddetectioninfunctionalnearinfraredspectroscopyforenhancedseizuredetectioningreymatter
AT mordekhaymedvedovsky widebasedilluminationanddetectioninfunctionalnearinfraredspectroscopyforenhancedseizuredetectioningreymatter
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