Overview
- USC and Caltech teams report in APL Bioengineering that a speckle contrast optical spectroscopy system separated scalp from cerebral signals in 20 participants.
- The wearable uses a laser and high‑resolution camera to image speckle patterns, with seven detectors spaced to target progressively deeper tissue.
- Temporary occlusion of the superficial temporal artery reduced signals in shallow channels while deeper channels remained stable, indicating cerebral sensitivity.
- Findings suggest utility for assessing stroke, traumatic brain injury, and vascular dementia, with some collaborators already piloting diagnostic use.
- The group plans hardware and software refinements, higher image resolution, and larger clinical studies; funding included NIH, the Alfred Mann Foundation, and USC support.