Nirs: Theoretical background and practical aspects

Abstract

In this chapter, an introduction to near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a tool for brain functional monitoring and imaging is presented. The basic physical principles are outlined for the measurement of physiological parameters like corti-cal haemoglobin oxygenation and blood flow. The advantages of spatially resolved as well as time- and frequency-domain techniques are discussed and compared with the modified Lambert-Beer approach which is used in most topographic imaging systems.