Mobile System for Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

应用部门的研究重点是调查病理性进食行为和身体形象障碍的发展和维持的基本机制。成像方法提供了对这些机制的神经相关性的见解，从而大大有助于基本的理解。为了实现该部门的研究目标，将继续特别开展门诊环境中的神经影像学和培训研究。近年来，这一核心能力在不断扩大的工作组中得到了加强。对于该部门的研究项目，需要一个移动的功能性近红外光谱（fNIRS）系统，它可以灵活地在不同的情况下调查皮层激活。由于fNIRS研究中硬件的快速发展，现在可以使用移动的设备对门诊患者进行研究，并在经济上有效的情况下进行研究，例如在暴露或饮食相关任务期间。特别是，对脑外信号的校正，这是唯一可能的新设备与短距离通道，是值得注意的。这使研究在长期内保持竞争力，并且结果不会受到运动伪影的干扰。所要求的设备与研究小组的其他相关方法兼容，特别是tDCS，EEG，眼动跟踪和VR。最少需要32个高质量的光电二极管对（32个源，32个探测器），以覆盖与当前和未来研究项目相关的皮层区域。另外还需要一个兼容的多通道刺激器，该刺激器将与fNIRS结合使用，但与其他神经刺激项目不同。整个系统必须适用于成人和儿童患者的研究并获得批准。在蒂宾根，各个部门已经有了大量的fNIRS经验，并建立了方法和内容交流网络。2021年，该部门的研究人员与认知神经心理学，精神病学和心理治疗诊所以及糖尿病研究和代谢疾病研究所的同事一起组织了一个国际，内部资助的fNIRS暑期学校。各部门之间的密切联系和联合研究项目加强了该地点的方法专门知识和社会贡献及其与国际伙伴的联系。因此，购买这种移动的fNIRS系统将大大有助于该部门的研究能力，并允许更灵活，更有效的研究和合作。

The research focus of the applying department is the investigation of the fundamental mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of pathological eating behavior and body image disorder. Imaging methods provide insights into the neural correlates of such mechanisms and thus contribute significantly to a fundamental understanding. In order to realize the research ambitions of the department, neuroimaging and training studies in outpatient settings will continue to be carried out in particular. In recent years, this core competence has been strengthened in the growing working group. For the department's research projects, a mobile system for functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is needed, which can flexibly and in different scenarios investigate cortical activations. Due to rapid hardware developments in fNIRS research, mobile devices are now available that allow for studies on patients in outpatient settings and in economically valid scenarios, e.g. during exposure or eating-related tasks. In particular, the correction for extracerebral signals, which are only made possible by newer devices with short-distance channels, is noteworthy. This keeps research competitive in the long-term and results are not confounded by motor artifacts. The requested device is compatible with other relevant methods of the research group, particularly tDCS, EEG, eye-tracking, and VR. A minimum number of 32 high-quality optode pairs (32 sources, 32 detectors) is required to cover the cortical areas that are relevant to current and future research projects. A compatible multichannel stimulator is additionally requested that will be used in combination with fNIRS, but which is distinct from other neurostimulation projects. The overall system must be suitable and approved for research on adult and pediatric patients. In Tübingen, there is already a lot of experience with fNIRS in various departments, and a network for methodological and content exchange. In 2021, researchers of the department, together with colleagues from cognitive neuropsychology, the clinic for psychiatry and psychotherapy, as well as the institute for diabetes research and metabolic diseases, organized an international, intramural-funded fNIRS summer school. Close networking between the departments and joint research projects strengthen the methodological expertise and social contribution of the location and its networking with international partners. Therefore, the acquisition of this mobile fNIRS system will significantly contribute to the department's research capabilities and allow for more flexible and efficient research and collaboration.