Estimation of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) Blood Flow using Doppler Radars

Abstract

Reduction of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) blood flow measured by near- infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is reported to be seen during the wakefulness to the early stage of sleep. DLPFC blood flow can be an index of arousal level, while, NIRS needs to wear an annoying and costly headgear and not suitable for daily use. Using cost-effective and compact Doppler radars attached behind chair back, we conducted multivariate study for 5 healthy subjects (23±1years) to estimate DLPFC blood flow using heart rate and heart rate variability index measured by radars. Estimated DLPFC blood flow correlates with that measured by NIRS (R>0.9) only when DLPFC blood flow decreased with time.