This volume covers the latest developments in optical imaging of the brain which is becoming an increasingly important functional neuroimaging method. Optical intrinsic signals offer unrivaled temporal and spatial resolution of functional measurements of the exposed brain cortex in animals and humans. Near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging ap- proaches permit the noninvasive functional assessment of the human brain at bedside. Main advantages of these optical techniques are the biochemical specificity of the meas- urements and the potential of measuring correlates of intracellular and...