Tag Archives: Imaging

fNIRS Workshop on 2nd May 2023 & 3rd May 2023

Satori 1.8 Released

Identification of Functional Cortical Plasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy Associated to Robotic-Assisted Gait Training: An fNIRS Study

Recognition of Attentional States in VR Environment: An fNIRS Study

Cortivision Software Update and Photon Cap C20 – Light Version

Introducing Cortivision’s New Functions

We are excited to announce new CortiView version 1.9.3 which among many new features includes Signal Quality monitoring. The Signal Quality Index is based on Scalp Coupling Index algorithm. Each channel has it’s own quality classification (low, medium or high) based on the thresholds defined in CortiView Settings. This allows you to check the quality of the signal coming from a specific channel at any time, which is indicated on the main screen by the color of the marker (☑) next to the specific channel:

☑🟥 red means low signal quality (you should check this optode),

☑🟨 yellow means medium signal quality,

☑🟩 green means high signal quality.

The default values should be sufficient for most cases but it’s easy to adjust.
Make sure you are using our latest version of software to be able to fully benefit from your fNIRS device. You can download the newest version of Cortiview here.

Photon Cap C20 – Light version

 

Photon Cap’s Light version has an optode bundle with 4 emitters and 2 detectors. However, the system is designed to make it as easy as possible to use the full capabilities of the spectroscope, so the Light’s optode bundle can be connected to a standard Cap C20 amplifier. That means that owners of Photon Cap can easily expand capabilities and target research goals in a more precise and comfortable way by purchasing just the Light version of opotde bundle.

We would also like to confirm that we are officially withdrawing the Photon Band from the market as we belive to have introduced a successor that allows more flexible use and can be easily connected with the rest of our devices.

Main features:

  • 4 emitters & 2 detectors (max. 8 channels)
  •  easy connection with the standard Photon Cap amplifier
  • slim size perfect for complex coregistration montages
  •  weights only 40 grams (on the head)
  •  flexible montage opportunities

Cortivision Spotlight 

Spotlight is our tailor-made fNIRS and VR connection service. Virtual reality offers almost unlimited possibilities for  conducting research experiments in a fully controlled environment. Our system is created mainly for biofeedback practice enabling effective and engaging cognitive training based on near-infrared spectroscopy. However we can safely say that sky is the limit here and this service can be adjusted to the specific research needs.

This is important to point out that Spotlight is not a standard off-the-shelf solution. The implementation process is more complex and based primarily on customer needs. It also depends on customer resources and competencies that can be covered to some extent by our team. In order to guarantee a high quality service we collaborate with experienced VR developers only. We are also an official HTC Partner distributing VIVE products.

Check out the Spotlight video here.

Get in touch with our team at Aerobe to book a demo or find out more about Cortivision here.

NIRxBorealis

NIRxWINGS

Welcome Satori – the new fNIRS analysis software from Brain Innovation

View The Details Of Our Open Webinars Here

Beyond Practice & Patient Expectations with NordicNeuroLab

Imagine a 4 year old doing a MRI exam without the need for anesthesia, impossible right? Watch this interview featuring radiographer and MR technician Bac Nguyen’s experiences at Rikshospitalet (Oslo, Norway) applying the nordicComfortSolution to encourage streamlined workflow practices while providing MR patient entertainment.

“Integrated, efficient and easy” are the key terms that Mr. Nguyen had described when conducting an MRI exam on a four year old patient that prevented the need for anesthesia. With nordicComfortSolution, MR technicians can support patients with claustrophobia, anxiety, or similar symptoms while cutting out the costly risks of sedation and prevent delayed scans. Moreover, streamline workflow for technicians and nurses while encouraging parents to feel comfortable due to the clarity of the MR examination process.

Click here to watch this webinar and to gain insight into the benefits of the nordicComfortSolution that has resulted in high rates of successful MRI examinations with young patients.

The Longest Day – Alzheimers Awareness Day with Aerobe fNIRS Solutions

Today marks the Longest Day, an event that marks the Summer solstice that encaptures family, friends, and patients with the goal to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through online or fundraising activities. To commemorate and raise awareness, we would like to discuss the importance of the Longest day and how our solutions can be beneficial in advancing Alzheimer’s research and clinical treatment of symptoms (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021). At Aerobe, we provide advanced MR imaging, fNIRS, neurodiagnostic, neurostimulation solutions, and more to benefit both research and clinical application into the development of diseases such as dementia, Alzheimers, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mild cognitive impairment, and more.

The Longest Day  x Alzheimers Awareness

 

Every year on June 20th, the Alzheimers association celebrates the summer solstice because as the longest day of the year it symbolizes the challenging journey of people living with the disease and their caregivers (Avitur, 2015). On this day, fundraising activities are conducted to raise funds to support the Alzheimer’s Association research, treatment, and education seminars to encourage awareness. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disease that develops subtle symptoms for patients with failures in memory, it has been reported that 60-80% of dementia cases worldwide are AD (Yu et al., 2020). Discover how our innovative real-time brain imaging solutions can help benefit the treatment of AD symptoms or recognise changes in cognitive state at clinics and research facilities.

Our NIRSIT System

Obelab’s NIRSIT System, in particular, is an innovative wireless brain imaging technology applied by researchers and clinicians of neuroscience to understand the development of diseases through the analysis of the prefrontal cortex. The portable hardware system applies infrared light with a Broadmann channel distribution to provide real-time brain activation data while the patient undertakes emotional and mental activities. For example, the N-back test assesses the brain’s hemodynamics while the patient undertakes a test on memory. As an alternative to MRI, this brain imaging analysis tool matches the resolution of MRI while processing data that is user-friendly and simple to apply into neurology, psychiatry, education, and basic research.

Although there is no current cure for AD, it is evident from clinical research that the early administration of medication therapies or daily training can diminish the progression of the disease while improving AD patient’s quality of life (ibid). The application of fNIRS technology is the ideal solution for Alzheimers research and clinical application. Its application provides real-time maps (with temporal and spatial resolution) of cortical activation to non-invasively measure the cortical hemodynamic as oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin changes (Lancia, Mammarella, Bianco & Quaresima, 2017).

Key Features & Technical Specifications:

  • Real-time analysis of the hemodynamic response
  • Non-invasive and wireless module solution
  • A high spatial resolution of over 200 channels
  • 4mm by 4mm (DOT) image reconstruction to match MRI resolution
  • High temporal resolution of 8 Hz
  • NIRSIT offers mobile application software, PC software, and analysis tool for:
    • Monitoring Mode – transient graph and 3D brain mapping
    • Task Mode – N-Back, Arithmetic, Stroop, etc
    • Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT)
    • Photogrammetry – localisation of channels in MNI space
    • Motion Artifact Removal – enabled by embedded motion sensor

Aerobe distributes an fNIRS series by OBELAB including; the NIRSIT, NIRSIT Lite, and NIRSIT Lite for Kids, learn more details about AEROBE’s NIRSIT series by clicking here.

About OBELAB

Established in 2013, OBELAB Inc. has maintained its presence with a global footprint of customers and research partners in Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Moreover, 36 hospitals, 56 labs, and 24 companies apply Obelab’s fNIRS solutions and Brain health services. The company shares the vision to establish itself as the leading brain big data company by providing affordable and convenient solutions for research and clinical markets. Moreover, to take the lead in consumerisation of brian monitoring while contributing to uncovering human brain functioning for better living.

References:

  • Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). Help Fight Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day. Retrieved 9 June 2021, from https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=14244&pg=entry
  • Avitzur, O. (2015). Fighting the Darkness of Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day. Retrieved 9 June 2021, from https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/the-alzheimers-association-has-designated-june-21-as-a-day/
  • Lancia S., Mammarella S., Bianco D., Quaresima V. (2018) Is Wireless Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) 3D Neuroimaging Feasible to Map Human Navigation in the Real-World?. In: Fogliaroni P., Ballatore A., Clementini E. (eds) Proceedings of Workshops and Posters at the 13th International Conference on Spatial Information Theory (COSIT 2017). COSIT 2017. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63946-8_16 
  • Yu, J. W., Lim, S. H., Kim, B., Kim, E., Kim, K., Park, S. K., … & Choi, J. W. (2020). Prefrontal functional connectivity analysis of cognitive decline for early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study. Biomedical Optics Express, 11(4), 1725-1741. 

Targeting location relates to treatment response in active but not sham rTMS stimulation

The neuronal associations of respiratory-volume variability in the resting state

Introducing NordicImagingLab

Artifact Reduction in Simultaneous EEG-fMRI: A Systematic Review of Methods and Contemporary Usage

Middle Frontal Gyrus and Area 55b: Perioperative Mapping and Language Outcomes

Cerebral functional networks during sleep in young and older individuals

Skip Nav Destination Decoding Neural Representations of Affective Scenes in Retinotopic Visual Cortex

The relationship between EEG and fMRI connectomes is reproducible across simultaneous EEG-fMRI studies from 1.5T to 7T

Disturbed temporal dynamics of episodic retrieval activity with preserved spatial activity pattern in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A simultaneous EEG-fMRI study

Excitatory–inhibitory balance within EEG microstates and resting-state fMRI networks: assessed via simultaneous trimodal PET–MR–EEG imaging

Regional Brain Correlates of Beta Bursts in Health and Psychosis: A Concurrent Electroencephalography and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Modulation of epileptic networks by transient interictal epileptic activity: A dynamic approach to simultaneous EEG-fMRI

Functional MRI Can Provide Clearer Picture of Unresponsive COVID-19 Patient’s Brain Function and Potential for Recovery

Obelab – Visit to RMIT University

What fMRI equipment do I need to do an fMRI scan?

In this article, you will get an overview of what equipment you need to be able to perform an fMRI exam. To perform  an fMRI exam four main components are required:

  1. MR scanner with EPI pulse sequence,
  2. Stimulus
  3. Peripheral fMRI equipment
  4. Post-processing and analysis software.

MR scanner with EPI pulse sequence

First, in order to acquire fMRI data, an MR scanner with fMRI specific pulse (Echo Planar Imaging) sequence is required. Most higher filed strength magnets (1.5T -3T) have the EPI sequence built into them.

The most common MR vendors are –

*All NordicNeuroLab products are compatible with all above.

Stimulus

Second, a library of paradigms designed to increase metabolic activity in the area of the brain responsible for a particular sensorimotor process is required. These tasks need to be presented to the patient while inside the MR scanner.

NordicNeuroLab can provide you with the stimulus presentation software nordicAktiva

Peripheral fMRI equipment

Third, and most importantly, MR-compatible hardware is needed to present auditory and visual stimulus to the patient. A response device is necessary to record patient responses, and a synchronization device is required to ensure precise timing between MR image acquisition with the onset of the stimuli.

Visual Stimulus equipment

NordicNeuroLab offers two types of visual stimulus hardware

Turnkey Solution

NordicNeuroLab provides a turnkey solution for clinical fMRI. It is a complete and user-friendly system for simplifying and standardizing implementation of functional MRI in clinical environments.

Post-processing and analysis software

Fourth, once the data is collected, a software is required to perform statistical analysis of fMRI data and overlay it on the high resolution anatomical MR images.

Additional equipment

Eye-tracking

The combination of fMRI and eye-tracking is a very powerful tool in neuroscience and has led to many advances in neuropsychology, neuropsychiatric, neurophysiology, and basic science (Bonhage et al. 2015; Tylen et al. 2012; Hausler et al. 2016; Kalpouzos et al. 2010; Kim et al. 2020)

The NordicNeuroLab VSHD are the only MR compatible goggles with integrated binocular eye-tracking. The video-based PCCR eye-tracking
technology uses two active glint points and an adjustable camera focus for precise and reliable tracking of each eye.

nBx DCE

DCE Module – nordicBrainEx is now available at the NNL Academy

nBx2.3_DCE

About the DCE Module

The DCE analysis uses two-compartment extended Tofts modeling to generate output maps such as volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), plasma volume (Vp), fractional volume (Ve), time to peak (TTP), and area under the curve (AUC). Output maps and results including volume-of-interest statistics, tissue response curves, and histograms can be saved and exported to PACS. In addition, the Ktrans map can be thresholded and exported to neuronavigation platforms.

About nordicBrainEx

nordicBrainEx is a vendor neutral clinical, DICOM-compatible post-processing software that is designed to be user-friendly and contribute to improved neuroradiolosgist workflow and productivity. Advanced volume of interest tools, 2D/3D visualization of BOLD activation areas, DTI tractography, and perfusion maps, combined with advanced interaction tools allow clinicians to perform extensive evaluations of brain tissue surrounding pathological areas. All processed data can be saved in a comprehensive report, exported to PACS or presurgical planning and neuronavigation systems.

Read more about nordicBrainEx here

Join the NNL Academy with over 300 members

To access the tutorial you can sign-up to the NNL Academy for free. There you’ll have access to all our tutorials for nordicBrainEx, nordicICE, and nordicAktiva.

virtual reality in MR

Virtual Reality during an fMRI scan – is it possible?

Virtual Reality has become more popular for Neuroscientist

Are you a neuroscientist interested in studying how memories are created and how we use memory to navigate in space?

Or a neurologist who would like to develop non-invasive methods for early detection of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia?

Perhaps you are a neuropsychologist who would like to understand the neurophysiological manifestations of phobias and PTSD and design better treatment strategies? Or maybe a neuromarketing researcher who would like to study how our mind responds to certain stimuli on the neurophysiological and neurofunctional level to apply this knowledge to marketing applications?

The Challenge

The MR environment presents a challenge to do Virtual Reality inside an MR because the commercial VR equipment isn’t MR compatible. At CAMH (Center for Addiction and Mental Health) they are using an LCD screen for visual presentation. Recent advancements now allow participants to have a more virtual experience through the use of MR compatible goggles.

fMRI studies with Virtual Reality have been performed by presenting the VR outside of the MR environment and then doing an MRI scan.

We believe that the VisualSystem HD from NordicNeuroLab is a solution to this issue and gives the researcher the opportunity to do an immersive stimulus presentation during the scan. Not only will this enhance the immersive experience, but we believe that this will improve the quality of your results.

Combining VR, fMRI, and eye tracking

Our team of Application Scientist have created a PDF to give you an introduction to immersive technology for functional neuroimaging.

Apple vs. Samsung: A Neuroscientific fMRI study

In 2007, Samsung was the world’s largest mobile device manufacturer. The same year Apple Inc introduced the iPhone to the world. The iPhone became a game-changer for the mobile device industry and the fascination for the device has had an impact on people’s lives, but also their brains.

Neuroscientists Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gallinat and Dr. Simone Kühn conducted an fMRI study to see if and how people’s brains responded differently to an Apple product vs. a Samsung product.

During this experiment, the neuroscientist was using the old VisualSystem from NordicNeuroLab to present the stimulus to the research attendees (Learn more about the new improved VisualSystem HD here)

The 25 participants attended the study and they were presented with pictures of Samsung and Apple products. Based on the fMRI results they discovered that the Samsung products stimulated the prefrontal cortex and the Apple product stimulated a part of the brain responsible for liking people.

Using fMRI for Neuromarketing

One interpretation is that Samsung is more a product for the “mind” while Apple is more a product that evokes “gut-feelings”

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gallinat

How do we make our buying decisions? Do we make decisions consciously based on facts, reason, and logic? Or do we actually make decisions unconsciously based on emotions, feelings, and intuition?

For instance, what do you prefer? Coca Cola or Pepsi? Most importantly: why?

This is what Neuromarketing is trying to answer, and therefore neuroscientist use techniques such as fMRI, and stimulus presentation tools like VisualSystem HD, to understand how our brains respond to different advertising, products, and how they affect our buying decisions.

 

How playing an instrument benefits your brain.

Your brain on fire

In the last few decades, neuroscientist have made enormous breakthroughs in understanding how our brains work by monitoring them in real time. One of the techniques being used is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Usually, the participants are given tasks through fMRI equipment like the InroomViewingDevice or VisualSystem HD. These tasks can be language tasks or math problems.

Doing these tasks activates specific parts of the brain, but when the participants listened to music, multiple parts of the brain was activated.

Playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout

Someone took it a step further by creating instruments with materials that weren’t magnetic and played the instrument while doing an functional MRI scan.

Playing a musical instrument engages practically every area of the brain at once, especially the visual, auditory, and monitor cortices.

Anita Collins – TED-Ed

Learn to play

Learning to play any instrument has great benefits. At NordicNeuroLab we have several of our employees who play instrument on a regular basis. And we encourage each other to pick up a new song or an instrument, simply because it’s good for the brain.

Learning new songs, or new instruments is always hard but it is also equally rewarding.

Trond Ytrøy – VPO at NordicNeuroLab

Nordic Neurolab

NordicNeuroLab Supports The Best Global Universities for Neuroscience and Behavior

Based on the latest ranking of the best global universities for Neuroscience and Behavior, we are proud to announce that nine of the top ten list are NordicNeuroLab customers.

Our journey, as a company, started in Bergen, Norway in 2001. Since then we’ve had over 2000 installations in 70+ countries, and we are still growing.

Best Global Universities for Neuroscience and Behavior according to U.S.News & World Report:

RANK NNL CUSTOMER UNIVERSITY NAME
1 x Harvard University
2 x University of California – San Francisco
3 x Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4 x Stanford University
5 x University College London
6 x Johns Hopkins University
7 x Columbia University
8 x University of Pennsylvania
9 Washington University in St. Louis
10 x University of Oxford

Omniscient: Quicktome CNS Recorded Surgery

Obelab – Online Demonstration to RMIT

Obelab – Visit to UTS, Sydney

NIRSIT Pilot Testing – University of Newcastle