The lab

Discover how the lab works, the techniques used, and the partners and collaborators helping us to advance research in brain imaging and child health.

Techniques

Neuropsychological assessment :
Neuropsychological assessment involves administering standardized tests to study intellectual functioning and cognitive abilities, such as language, memory and attention. These tests are presented in the form of games and are conducted by an evaluator with a training in neuropsychology. During the assessment, the evaluator may ask for example the child to name or remember the location of different images presented or to repeat named numbers or words. The term “developmental assessment” is used instead of “neuropsychological assessment” when the assessment is performed with young children.
    1) NIRS acquisition with ISS Imagent oxymeter of a 4-months old infant.   2) NIRS acquisition with NIRx NIRScout in a 4-months infant.
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS):
NIRS is a non-invasive, safe and painless brain imaging technique. It is used to measure changes in brain activity using light. The child’s scalp is illuminated by a red light that is harmless and dimmer than a flashlight. The reflected light is then captured by highly sensitive detectors placed on the scalp, allowing to measure changes in the brain’s oxygenation via hemoglobin concentration.
Electroencephalography (EEG):
EEG is a non-invasive, safe and painless brain imaging technique. It is based on the electrical activity generated by the neurons (brain cells) when these are activated. An elastic helmet with electrodes is placed on the child’s head. During recording, the electrodes measure the natural electricity generated by the brain, allowing us to study its functioning.
Multimodal neuroimaging (NIRS-EEG):
Some projects include a combined NIRS-EEG acquisition, which allows us to interpret two distinct signals related to cerebral activation: the brain’s electrical activity acquired with EEG and the brain’s oxygenation acquired with NIRS. Data is acquired with the NIRScout and actiChamp EEG systems. Fibers from both imaging techniques can be installed on the same cap.