Using amorphous microwire-based GMI sensors to suppress fNIRS artifacts and improve the reliability of cognitive measurements

Abstract

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a rapidly developing method for non-invasive recording of brain activity and is increasingly used to monitor cognitive symptoms and emotional state in the context of everyday activities. However, the reliability of fNIRS is significantly limited by the presence of physiological and motor artifacts associated with breathing, cardiovascular oscillations, micro-movements of the head, and facial muscle activity. These factors make it difficult to isolate neurogenic components and reduce the reproducibility of the results. These disadvantages can be leveled by using a combination of strain gauges located near the optical lines. In this paper, we consider amorphous microwires, which are highly sensitive and compact stress-sensitive objects. The prospects of a combined approach based on the integration of fNIRS with sensors using the giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect in amorphous Fe–Si–B microwires in a glass shell are assessed. GMI sensors have high sensitivity to local magnetic fields and mechanical stresses and allow recording of accompanying signals – respiratory and ballistocardiographic oscillations, micromimic activity and vibrations of the optode mount. It is concluded that fNIRS and amorphous microwire-based GMI sensors can compensate for key sources of interference and significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of brain activity assessment in natural settings.

Speaker

Oleg Aksenov
ISSP RAS
Russia

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