NIRx Medical Technologies - Optical Neuroimaging

17/06/2026

Regular exercise may shape how we respond to negative experiences. 🏃‍♀️

In this recent research, Wang and Zhou (2026) show that habitual exercisers report lower negative emotional responses during passive viewing, pointing to reduced emotional reactivity at the earliest stage. fNIRS data also suggest more efficient prefrontal processing, though effects remain preliminary.

These findings highlight how lifestyle factors may influence emotional stability through early neural mechanisms.

https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16040409

15/06/2026

Learning a new walking pattern engages both brain and body. 🚶‍♀️

Yoshida et al. (2026) used fNIRS and electrodermal activity to examine adaptation during split-belt walking. Initial exposure produced the highest cortical activation, arousal, and gait asymmetry, with reduced responses across repeated trials.

These changes point to increasing neural efficiency and coordinated CNS–ANS adaptation as motor learning progresses.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-025-07218-1

12/06/2026

Fewer choices, clearer decisions? 🛍️

Xu et al. (2026) used fNIRS hyperscanning and computational modelling to study how choice assortment size shapes consumer behaviour. Participants showed a stronger preference for real-time recommendations and more thoughtful decisions when choosing from smaller sets.

data revealed dynamic inter-brain synchronisation patterns in prefrontal regions across decision stages, with these shared neural signals predicting how people decide in different contexts.

The study highlights how dual-brain approaches can capture the complexity of real-world, interactive decision-making.

With the continual expansion of product options provided by retailers, the range of product options in the choice assortment may exert a considerable effect on consumer preferences for real-time recommendations. We combined hierarchical drift-diffusion modeling with functional near-infrared spectros...

11/06/2026

🚀 Deep Dive into fNIRS Hyperscanning: From Collection to Analysis

🗓 Date: August 3–4
📍 Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Join us for a hands-on, two-day workshop exploring the cutting edge of fNIRS and hyperscanning research! Hosted by NIRx Medical Technologies in collaboration with Dr. Elisa Baek and USC, featuring leading experts Dr. Hendrik Santosa and Dr. Shannon Burns.

Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced researcher, gain practical insights, explore advanced methodologies, and learn analytical strategies to drive real-world impact.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3ZwGWOh

10/06/2026

How are brain activity and blood flow linked in real time? ⏱️

Burma et al. (2026) combined EEG, fNIRS, and transcranial Doppler to study neurovascular coupling during cognitive and motor tasks.

They found that neuronal activity and microvascular oxygenation changes precede and predict arterial blood flow, supporting a feedforward mechanism.

The results highlight how multimodal imaging can capture the full chain of brain activation, from neurons to vascular response.

📖 https://doi.org/10.3390/s26061790

08/06/2026

Can brain signals reveal what foods we really prefer? 🥤

Fahrudin et al. (2026) found that while regular snacks were rated higher than “light” versions, prefrontal activity was similar across both. Instead, stronger neural responses tracked individual liking.

fNIRS highlights how subjective preference shapes real-world decisions.

📖 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2026.101115

05/06/2026

Is improving image reconstruction key to unlocking the full potential of high-density fNIRS? 💡

Carlton et al. (2026) present a systematic optimisation of diffuse optical tomography (DOT) for hexagonal probe arrays, combining simulations with realistic resting-state data augmented by synthetic haemodynamic responses.

Their findings highlight critical trade-offs in reconstruction design. While some spatial basis functions reduce interference between brain and scalp signals, they can also reduce contrast and localisation accuracy. In contrast, indirect haemoglobin reconstruction improves separation between oxygenated and deoxygenated signals.

Validated with a motor task, the optimised approach achieved clear, localised activation patterns.

This work provides a practical framework for refining reconstruction pipelines in high-density and whole-head fNIRS systems.

📖 https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.13.2.025001

03/06/2026

How does the brain adapt to hearing loss during early development? 👂

Svoboda et al. (2026) used fNIRS to study auditory cortex activity in children with cochlear implants, hearing aids, and typical hearing while they were exposed to speech, silent speech, and sign language.

They found that cochlear implant users showed weaker responses to auditory speech overall. However, children with prior experience of sign language demonstrated stronger auditory activation, suggesting that visual language may support or “scaffold” speech processing.

The study also revealed subtle cross-modal effects, including right-hemisphere responses to sign language in hearing children and inhibitory patterns during silent speech tasks.

These findings offer important insight into how early sensory experience shapes brain development and language outcomes.

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01/06/2026

New open dateset decoding individual finger movements with fNIRS! ✋🧠

Khan et al. (2026) present an open-access dataset from 25 participants performing single-finger tapping tasks, targeting one of the more demanding challenges in fNIRS-based brain-computer interfaces.

By enabling researchers to test advanced machine learning approaches on fine motor activity, this work supports progress towards more precise and robust fNIRS-based BCI systems.

📖 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2026.1747655

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging modality with an acceptable spatial and temporal resolution that enables continuous, non-inva...

29/05/2026

How early does the brain begin organising for language? 🌱

In this longitudinal study, Mandl et al. combined foetal MRI with neonatal fNIRS to explore whether prenatal brain asymmetry predicts newborn speech processing. They found that variation in the foetal superior temporal sulcus was linked to differences in how neonates’ brains responded to speech.

The findings link prenatal brain structure to the earliest functional language networks and demonstrate that fNIRS can reveal speech-discrimination processes in the newborn brain.

https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcag048