title: Near-infrared spectroscopy: a report from the McDonnell infant methodology consortium.
abstract: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a new and increasingly widespread brain imaging technique, particularly suitable for young infants. The laboratories of the McDonnell Consortium have contributed to the technological development and research applications of this technique for nearly a decade. The present paper provides a general introduction to the technique as well as a detailed report of the methodological innovations developed by the Consortium. The basic principles of NIRS and some of the existing developmental studies are reviewed. Issues concerning technological improvements, parameter optimization, possible experimental designs and data analysis techniques are discussed and illustrated by novel empirical data.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception (UMR 8158), CNRS-Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Peres, Paris 75006, France. judit.gervain@parisdescartes.fr
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gervain
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mehler
authors.forename: Janet F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Werker
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Csibra
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lloyd-Fox
authors.forename: Mohinish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Aslin
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends