Event

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Seminar
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
1:00 p.m.
0215 Edward St. John Center
For More Information:
go.umd.edu/fNIRS

Speaker: Dr. Afrouz Anderson (NIRx)

Title: Application of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Toward Understanding the Neurocognitive Function

Abstract: Accompanying neuroactivation is a hemodynamic response that is representative of a number of aspects of coordinated brain function. fNIRS technology helps make these responses perceptible. Learning, language acquisition, sensory and motor functions, emotion, social interactions, and the influence of a host of disease processes can all be explored via the fNIRS signal. Allowing exploration of these brain functions, fNIRS is easily made wearable, resistant to motion artifacts, economical, and can be performed in the natural environment. This talk will cover the core concepts of fNIRS technology, its applications in clinical research, experimental and analytical considerations as well as multimodal imaging. The session will be followed by the software and hardware demo.

Bio: Afrouz Anderson is an associate research scientist at NIRx Medical Technologies and Research Scientist at the Focus Foundation. Her current research focuses on using non-invasive optical imaging, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), to investigate the neurocognitive function in children with genetic disorders such as Urea Cycle Disorder. Prior to joining NIRx, Dr. Anderson completed her fellowship at NICHD where she created imaging platforms to study brain and placenta function.