fNIRS-Related Hemodynamic Response Associated with Cognitive Decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

2012

Jordan Green
[email protected]
402-559-6302

Even though there is evidence of cognitive decline in 50% of individuals diagnosed with ALS it often goes undetected because 1) primary focus is on predominant motor and speech symptoms 2) standardized behavioral assessments of cognition are insensitive during early stages of decline. The aim of the proposed project is to determine ALS-related cognitive decline using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS is a functional neuroimaging technique that is portable, relatively cheap, and non-invasive and can be used to monitor hemodynamic changes associated with early cognitive decline in ALS. Five healthy and five affected individuals with ALS were asked to participate in the N-back task of working memory during fNIRS recordings. Results revealed decreased left hemisphere activation during the working memory task in the ALS group compared to the control group. The results suggest that fNIRS may be a promising tool for the early detection of cognitive deficits in ALS.

Conference presentations and posters presented

Professionals, Policymakers, Students

[email protected]

N/A