New technology uses light to scan babies' brains.(News Notes)(Brief article)

Researchers have developed a new brain imaging technique for infants that will allow scans to be carried out while babies are interacting with their environment. One of the major obstacles in scanning the infant brain has been that babies do not want to sit still, say the researchers. Older technology using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allowed brain scans of infants while they were sedated or napping. Some of the drawbacks of these technologies include the use of large, loud equipment and unacceptably high levels of radiation. The new technology, known as high-density diffuse optical tomography (DOT), uses "harmless light from …