Quantification of light reflectance spectroscopy and its application: Determination of hemodynamics on the rat spinal cord and brain induced by electrical stimulation

Two quantification methods for light reflectance spectroscopy (LRS) were developed and validated to determine absolute and relative values of hemodynamic parameters and light scattering, followed by a specific application using in vivo animal experiments. A single-channel LRS system consisted of a light source, CCD-array detector, and a computer along with a bifurcated, 2-mm-diameter optical probe; this system was utilized to perform laboratory tissue phantoms for validation of the algorithms. In the animal study, a multi-channel, multisite approach was used to measure several reflectance spectra from rat brain and spinal cord on both the ipsi-lateral and contra-lateral sides, using thin 800-μm-diameter optic probes. The neuro-hemodynamic changes were induced by 10-V electrical stimulation in rat hind paw. The LRS data of the animals were analyzed using both absolute and relative methods. The results show that the relative method is computation-efficient and offers a quick estimation of changes in oxy-hemoglobin concentration for real-time monitoring. The absolute quantification method, on the other hand, provides us with an accurate computational tool to calculate absolute values of oxy-, deoxy-, total hemoglobin concentrations, and light scattering coefficients. We also observe that the hemodynamic responses in rat spinal cord were delayed with a few seconds and have an overall broader full width at half maximum, as compared to those from rat somatosensory cortex. LRS as a measurement system provides a robust method for studying local hemodynamic changes and a potential technique to investigate hemo-neural mechanisms in pain processing.

Research Highlights► Two quantified means for light reflectance spectroscopy were developed and validated. ► The two methods offer absolute and relative changes in hemoglobin concentration. ► The methods were used to study neuro-hemodynamics in rat by electrical stimulation. ► Relative method is computation-effective and suitable for real-time monitoring. ► Absolute method offers exact values of hemoglobin concentration and light scattering.