02 September 2025 : Review article
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Schizophrenia Research: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions
Yudiao Liang E 1,2, Zhang Sha F 2, Liu Kezhi AG 3*DOI: 10.12659/MSM.949491
Med Sci Monit 2025; 31:e949491
Table 1 Comparison of fNIRS, fMRI, and EEG across key parameters.
| Parameter | fNIRS | fMRI | EEG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spatial resolution | Moderate (1–3 cm) | High (mm to sub-mm) | Low (source localization challenges) |
| Temporal resolution | High (0.1–10 Hz) | Moderate (seconds) | Very high (millisecond range) |
| Portability | High | Low | Moderate |
| Motion tolerance | High | Low | Moderate |
| Cost | Low to moderate | High | Low |
| Suitability for schizophrenia research | Ideal for dynamic tasks and natural settings, limited deep brain detection | Excellent for whole-brain imaging, limited portability | Excellent for real-time electrophysiological activity, limited spatial precision |
| Table 1 compares functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and electroencephalography (EEG) across 6 key neuroimaging parameters relevant to schizophrenia research. Parameters include spatial/temporal resolution, portability, motion tolerance, cost, and modality-specific suitability for studying schizophrenia. fNIRS balances portability and motion tolerance with moderate spatial resolution, while fMRI offers superior spatial resolution at the expense of portability. EEG excels in temporal resolution but has spatial localization limitations. | |||