Why probe registration is crucial for infant fNIRS and HD-DOT? An evaluation across 49 newborns

In a cohort of 49 newborns, probe-position mapping errors for HD-DOT reached a median of 10.12 mm versus a centrally aligned template, with extremes from 4.41 mm to 20.60 mm.

• Why it matters: Accurate optode-to-anatomy registration is needed for fNIRS/HD-DOT, but MRI-based alignment is often infeasible, leaving uncertainty about how cap misalignment impacts reconstructed brain images.
• What they did: The study applied the STORM-Net registration protocol and measured cap alignment variation across 49 newborns, then assessed how these probe-position errors affected HD-DOT image reconstruction.
• The result: The observed misalignment is linked to reduced spatial accuracy of reconstructed functional images, especially for subjects with larger probe displacements, supporting routine registration and more conservative group-level interpretations.

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