Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

Massachusetts General Hospital, under a Cooperative Agreement from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs, CFDA 93.279), is advancing development of an innovative wearable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device designed to assess cerebral biomarkers of intoxication in real-world settings. The project, funded at $676,305.00 and running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, involves engineering an affordable, user-friendly prefrontal cortex fNIRS system based on the FlexNIRS platform. The deliverable is the iFlexNIRS device—configured with 8 bicolor sources and 8 detectors providing 20 source-detector channels—which will enable non-expert users to conduct repeated assessments in natural environments, complementing ecological momentary assessment research on cannabis and other drug use behaviors.

This research addresses a significant gap in substance use science by transitioning fNIRS technology from expensive laboratory instruments requiring trained operators to a wearable, Fitbit-like personal monitoring device. By leveraging partnership with the FlexNIRS device creator, the project maintains core attributes of affordability, simplicity, and high signal-to-noise ratio while expanding imaging capabilities to accurately classify and monitor neural physiology associated with drug impairment. The resulting integrated hardware and software platform is intended to revolutionize real-world drug use research and support development of just-in-time interventions.