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Shedding light on brain activation in patients with cochlear implants
What is it about?
This study is a demonstration of our ability to image brain function and metabolic activity using infrared light. , Using this novel, ground breaking technique we are able to non-invasively show how the cortex is activated by sound in normal hearing subjects, and in those with cochlear implants.
Why is it important?
This study is important because it demonstrates that one can image brain function without the need to place a subject into a noisy scanner, or inject radioactive materials. It is compatible with patients who have cochlear implants, who cannot be scanned using MRI to the most part due to the magnetic force. Also, because this technique measures metabolic activity using light, it is not affected by the electromagnetic artifact generated by the cochlear implant as is the case with event-related or evoked potentials.