Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in medical research: applications, opportunities, and challenges
摘要
fNIRS is an innovative and non-invasive tool for monitoring hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. In recent years, it has become a widely used intervention method in the medical field for treating various diseases due to its portability and potential for long-term monitoring. This article systematically reviews the development history and technical principles of fNIRS, compares fNIRS with other imaging techniques, summarizes the application and research progress of fNIRS in the fields of neurofunction and brain function, clinical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and rehabilitation medicine, especially in exploring the neurobiological mechanisms of TCM syndromes, monitoring the central effects of acupuncture therapy, and evaluating the brain's response to TCM components. At the same time, it clarifies the shortcomings and deficiencies of fNIRS and discusses its future development, aiming to provide valuable insights and reference points for the future development of fNIRS.
Graphical Abstract