Intraoperative infrared functional imaging of human brain.

We hypothesized that it would be possible to detect the distribution of cortical activation by using a sensitive, rapid, high-resolution infrared imaging technique to monitor changes in local cerebral blood flow induced by changes in focal cortical metabolism. In a prospective study, we recorded in 21 patients the emission of infrared radiation from the exposed human cerebral cortex at baseline, during language and motor tasks, and during stimulation of the contralateral median nerve using an infrared camera (sensitivity 0.02 degrees C).