Hemodynamic and electrophysiological responses to functional activation accessed by multi-wavelength optical imaging and electrophysiological recording system

Abstract

A compact and convenient system is designed and realized for high-resolution simultaneous imaging hemodynamic parameters and recording electrophysiological signals in the brain by the combination of multi-wavelength optical imaging and electrophysiological recording system. Multi-wavelength optical imaging system uses an integration of light-emitting diode (LED which has three wavelengths) and laser diode (LD) as imaging illuminants to combine the laser speckle imaging and optical intrinsic signal imaging. Electrophysiological recording system is based on the virtual instrument technology. The spatial and temporal changes in oxy-hemoglobin, deoxy-hemoglobin, total hemoglobin concentration, cerebral blood flow, and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in response to the brain activities are monitored by the multi-wavelength optical imaging system. Meanwhile the electrophysiological recording system can simultaneously collect the extra-cellular electrophysiological signals. The combination system provides the capability to simultaneously investigate hemodynamic parameters and electrophysiological signals, which may lead to a better understanding of the coupling between neuronal activation and vascular responses.