Portable neuroimaging system may accelerate concussion detection, treatment

A new portable brain imaging system developed at the University of Calgary in Canada uses infrared light sensors and computational assistance to determine the extent of damage and long-term consequences of concussions, according to a recent university news release.  

“In the infrared system, there’s a particular wavelength that goes through tissue quite well. You shine a light in and you measure the color of the blood in the brain,” said Jeff Dunn, PhD, director of the Experimental Imaging Centre at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, in a prepared statement. “Light is absorbed differently depending on how much oxygen is absorbed in the blood; we can measure brain activity. What we didn’t know is how that would change after concussion.” 

The wearable imaging scanner headset contains small electromagnetic radiation lights with sensors connected to a computer. It is then secured on the patient's head to monitor and measure brain activity, according to the news release. Researchers hope that the technology will not only help detect concussions but may improve treatment methods for them.   

“It’s really hard to understand what treatments will modify that trajectory of symptoms,” Dunn said. “So, the earlier people know about what kind of injury it is ... people can test these treatments that will really help with patient care.”