Optical topography is a non-invasive functional brain imaging technique, which uses light in the near infra-red spectrum and allows to detect hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. Specifically, it measures relative changes in oxygenated, de-oxygenated and total haemoglobin concentrations, reflecting variations in the cerebral blood flow and volume. This technique does not need sedation and it is safe: consequently, it appears particularly feasible for studying cerebral neonatal development. Neonatal cerebral cortex activa- tions associated both with simple sensory stimuli and with more complex cognitive or af- fective-relational have been detected. In neonatology, a promising research field is rela- ted to the detection of cerebral hemodynamic response observed in specific conditions (su- ch as encephalopathies and perinatal asphyxia).
