USING LIGHT TO PROBE THE BRAIN - INTRINSIC SIGNAL OPTICAL IMAGING

The theory and application of intrinsic signal optical imaging is described. This in vivo imaging method is based on capturing small activity-related reflectance changes from the illuminated brain with sensitive cameras. Intrinsic signal imaging excels in the spatial domain (similar to 50 mu m) and thus enables the visualization of the small, repeated functional domains that are the basis of the functional organization of the cortex in mammals. Recent developments are described, and the advantages and limitations of this imaging method and its relevance of fMRI are discussed. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.