ABSTRACT
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The purpose of this chapter is to describe the use of optical methods to record, in a noninvasive fashion, intrinsic signals related to neuronal activity (i.e., fast optical signals). Fast signals have been used to study non-invasively the time course of activity in localized cortical areas,1-2 and, more recently, from the entire cortical surface.3 In this chapter, we will rst present a brief introduction to noninvasive functional imaging, and describe different approaches that can be used in this area of research. We will then describe the rationale and procedures related to the use of optical methods to create functional images of brain activity. We will then discuss examples of applications of fast optical imaging. We will conclude the chapter by discussing some advantages and limitations of the technique.
