Analysis of Brain Function in Learning Process by Regional Cerebral Brood Flow

本研究的目的是开发和改进NIRS（近红外光谱）系统，通过了解实验数据和生理数据的关系，从区域脑血流量（rCBS）测量与学习功能相关的脑活动，并对学习过程进行测量和分析，并将该系统应用于学习情境。近红外光谱（NIRS）测量模型的构建、与功能磁共振成像（fMRI）的比较、大脑皮层氧合血红蛋白（OxyHb）和脱氧血红蛋白（DeoxyHb）浓度在执行各种被认为与学习相关的任务时的测定等方面的研究已被广泛开展。结果如下^*(1)表明近红外光谱可以测量毛细血管水平上rCBF的变化。(2)氧血红蛋白量的变化会反映在任务前/任务中个人的表现上。(3)脱氧血红蛋白体积的变化会反映在学习过程中。学习过程通常由行为表现来评估，但本研究表明，近红外光谱方法可用于定量评估学习过程。现在，我们继续研究寻找任务解的时刻将伴随着脱氧血红蛋白体积的斑点的假设。研究表明，如果探头位置选择得当，可以获得较高的空间分辨率。研究脑功能与联想学习过程的关系将在教育中发挥重要作用，因此，我们认为这项研究提出了基础性和重要的结果。

The purpose of this study is to development and improvement of NIRS(Near Infrared Spectroscopy) system to measure brain activity related to learning function from regional cerebral blood flow(rCBS) and to measurement and analysis of learning process through understanding relationship experiment data and physiological data, and application of this system into learning situation.Studies of construction of measurement model of NIRS, comparison with fMRI, measurement of oxy-hemoglobin(OxyHb) and deoxy-hemoglobin(DeoxyHb) concentration on cerebrum cortex in implementing various kinds of tasks which consider as association with learning have been done enthusiastically.The following results were obtained^*(1) It is suggested that NIRS could measure rCBF change on capillary level.(2) Change in oxyHb volume would be reflected on individual performance before/during tasks.(3) Change in deoxyHb volume would be reflected on learning process.Learning process is usually evaluated by behavior performance, however, this study suggested that the method of NIRS was useful for evaluate learning process quantitatively.Now, we continue to Investigate hypothesis that the moment of finding solution of tasks would be accompanies with spotting of deoxyHb volume.This study suggests that if selection of probe position is appropriate, high spatial resolution will be got. It is expected that investigation of the association learning process with brain function will be important in education, therefore, we believe that this study suggested fundamental and important results.