Functional near-infrared spectroscopy as a window to cardiovascular health

摘要

The temporal evolution of cortical activation patterns during a handgrip task inducing forearm muscle fatigue wasstudied with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Brain activation patterns mapped over the prefrontal andsensorimotor cortices (111 channels) and concurrent fatigue measurements, assessed by a force sensor, were studied for agroup of physical active subjects versus an age-matched healthy, but non-exercising group. Thirteen young adults (18-35years old) were recruited who performed intermittent handgrip contractions for 3.5s alternating with 6.5s of rest for 120blocks with their dominant hand. Observed differences in activation and connectivity in the primary motor cortex (M1),premotor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC/SMA), and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in both hemispheres hinted atdifferences in compensatory tactics used by the brain based on available physical resources that depend on physicalactivity. Furthermore, our study demonstrated strengthened FC throughout the entire duration of the fatigue-inducinghandgrip task. Ultimately, this ongoing study will provide baseline measurements on the brain’s compensatory patternsfor follow-up work on older individuals with impaired cardiovascular health performing the fatiguing handgrip task.