Characterizing emotional response to music in the prefrontal cortex using near infrared spectroscopy

► Prefrontal near-infrared spectroscopy was performed in a music based emotion induction paradigm. ► A wavelet-based peak detection method was applied to chromophore concentrations ([HHb], [HBO2]). ► Maximum wavelet coefficient for [HBO2] was significantly related to valence and arousal ratings. ► Music inducing intense negative emotions induced larger peaks in the maximum wavelet coefficient.