Next-generation optical brain functional imaging platform

项目总结/摘要 对人类大脑功能的更透彻理解对推进神经科学具有深远意义 研究和对抗神经疾病。尽管在实现这一目标方面取得了巨大进展， 尽管现代神经成像技术已经发展，但许多挑战仍然没有得到解决，例如缺乏安全的神经成像技术。 和用于连续脑功能评估的非侵入性成像模式， 在人脑动力学的体内成像中的分辨率，以及由于考虑不当而导致的次优精度 复杂的3D大脑解剖结构。而且，人脑功能呈现出复杂的层级模式 从基本的运动/感觉反应到高级认知过程。受穷人限制 功能磁共振成像，MEG和PET的便携性，以及EEG，传统神经成像的低空间分辨率 范例主要涉及具有有限类型的刺激和相互作用的实验室内实验。本有限 对大脑功能的探索阻碍了我们对大脑的理解。正如强烈呼应在 BRAIN 2025科学愿景，灵活，可穿戴和定量神经成像技术的创新， 对受试者施加最低限度的限制将使对高级大脑动力学的研究成为可能， 在自然环境中测量时明显。 在过去的十年中，一种新兴的神经成像技术-功能近红外光谱（fNIRS） - 已经显示出使用低功率光安全和长期监测大脑活动的巨大希望。然而，在这方面， 大多数现有的fNIRS系统需要使用通过多个连接到手推车大小的光学单元的头盔 并且仅输出有限空间的地形（而不是断层）图像 分辨率这些限制极大地阻碍了fNIRS的广泛使用。 在本提案中，我们的目标是通过开发一种光学脑成像技术，将光学脑成像推向下一代 无线、超便携、模块化和无光纤先进光学脑成像平台（AOBI）。通过使用 创新的基于柔性电路的模块化光学电路，所提出的成像系统重量轻， 可穿戴，长期监测安全。我们的具体目标是：1）开发符合全头部的3D- 使用柔性电路和可重构光学模块的Aware光学脑成像头盔，2）开发高 分辨率光学脑图像处理流水线，其使用先前引导的重建算法，以及3） 进行小规模临床验证（N = 15），以证明监测卒中后康复的概念验证 使用建议的系统。如果成功开发，拟议的AOBI成像平台将提供几个 成本和重量降低了几个数量级，成像对比度提高了5至10倍， 与传统的fNIRS技术相比，分辨率更高。这个新平台可能会发挥重要作用， 在监测卒中后康复、评估视力损害、颅内高压、失眠 抑郁症、头部受伤和行为障碍，如精神分裂症、躁郁症和创伤后应激障碍。

Project Summary/Abstract A more thorough understanding of human brain function has profound implications for advancing neuroscience research and combatting neurological disease. Despite tremendous progress towards this goal through contemporary neuroimaging techniques, a number of challenges remain unaddressed, such as a lack of safe and non-invasive imaging modalities for continuous brain function assessments, limited spatiotemporal resolution in in vivo imaging of human brain dynamics, and suboptimal accuracy due to improper consideration of complex 3D brain anatomy. Moreover, human brain functions exhibit complex and hierarchical patterns ranging from basic motor/sensory responses to advanced cognitive processes. Restricted by the poor portability of fMRI, MEG, and PET, as well as the low spatial resolution in EEG, conventional neuroimaging paradigms predominantly involve in-lab experiments with limited types of stimuli and interactions. This limited exploration of brain functions hinders our progress in understanding the brain. As strongly echoed in the BRAIN 2025 Scientific Vision, innovations in flexible, wearable and quantitative neuroimaging techniques that impose minimal restrictions to the subject will enable studies of advanced brain dynamics that are only apparent when measured in a natural environment. In the past decade, an emerging neuroimaging technique – functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) – has shown great promise for safe and long-term monitoring of brain activity using low-power light. However, most existing fNIRS systems require the use of a headgear attached to a cart-sized optical unit via numerous and fragile optical fibers and output only topographic (instead of tomographic) images of limited spatial resolution. These limitations greatly hinder fNIRS’s widespread use. In this proposal, we aim to advance optical brain imaging to the next generation by developing a wireless, ultra-portable, modular, and fiberless advanced optical brain imaging platform (AOBI). By using innovative flexible-circuit based modular optical circuits, the proposed imaging system is light-weight, wearable, and safe for long-term monitoring. Our specific aims are 1) develop full-head-conforming 3D- aware optical brain imaging headgear using flex-circuit and reconfigurable optical modules, 2) develop high- resolution optical brain image processing pipelines using prior-guided reconstruction algorithms, and 3) run a small-scale clinical validation (N=15) to show proof-of-concept of monitoring post-stroke rehabilitation using the proposed system. If successfully developed, the proposed AOBI imaging platform will deliver several orders of magnitude reduction in cost and weight, 5 to 10-fold higher in imaging contrast, and 2-3 times better in resolution compared to conventional fNIRS techniques. This new platform may play an important role in monitoring post-stroke rehabilitation, assessing visual impairment, intracranial hypertension, insomnia, depression, head injuries, and behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and post-traumatic stress.