Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy 2013; 02(01): 087-092
DOI: 10.3233/PEP-13044
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

The utility of near infrared spectroscopy in pediatric epilepsy

Anne Gallagher
a   Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, Canada
b   Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, Downtown Succ., Montreal, QC, Canada
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

10 April 2013

18 May 2013

Publication Date:
27 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive neuroimaging technique that is highly suitable for pediatric populations due to its many advantages. In past decades, research on clinical applications and technical development of NIRS software and equipment has significantly increased, leading to greater use in children with epilepsy, especially for presurgical assessment. In this review, the NIRS signal and data acquisition are first described. Then, clinical applications in pediatric epilepsy, including the characterization and prediction of seizures, presurgical language mapping and epileptogenic zone localization, and detection of postsurgical cerebral reorganization are presented. Advantages and limitations of using NIRS in children with epilepsy are also discussed. Finally, potential developments and research applications for NIRS in the pediatric population with epilepsy are proposed.