Method for mapping higher brain function and headgear for mapping higher brain function

Abstract

A method for mapping higher brain function comprises an fMRI mapping step Si to map a brain function of the subject TP by fMRI, a head portion structural image acquisition step S 3 to acquire a head portion structural image IMGs by an MRI system in a state that a headgear HC having a marker is mounted on the head portion of the subject TP, a three-dimensional image combining step S 4 to create a three-dimensionally combined image IMGfs by combining the head portion structural image IMGs and the brain functional image IMGf obtained by the fMRI mapping step S 1 , an optical probe mounting step S 5 to specify positions on the headgear HC where optical probes PR 1 , PR 2 are mounted based on the three-dimensionally combined image IMGfs and to mount the optical probes PR 1 , PR 2 at the specified positions and an NIRS measuring step S 6 to conduct the NIRS by a NIRS method in a state that the headgear HC loaded with the optical probes PR 1 , PR 2 is mounted on the head portion of the subject TP.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . A headgear for mapping higher brain function that is used in the method for mapping higher brain function comprising a gear body formed into a shape of the head portion of the subject with a molding material of either a kneaded dental rubber elastic impression material of binary kneaded-type or a heat distortion resin material attached in a flexible condition to the head portion of the subject and then cured and a plurality of makers embedded at predetermined intervals into the molding material prior to curing.  
     
     
         9 . The headgear for mapping higher brain function described in  claim 8 , wherein a positioning portion that corresponds to either one or both of a nose and an ear of the subject is formed with the molding material prior to curing.  
     
     
         10 . The headgear for mapping higher brain function described in  claim 8 , wherein the maker is an adipose sphere.  
     
     
         11 . The headgear for mapping higher brain function described in  claim 8 , wherein the gear body is formed by applying the molding material on a flexible film that is attached to the head portion of the subject in advance.