The fNIRS Landscape of ADHD: Device Specifications, Neural Markers, and AI Classification

This systematic review synthesizes 69 original studies (2019–2025) to evaluate the transformative potential of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in ADHD research. As a portable, motion-tolerant neuroimaging tool, fNIRS enables robust measurement of cortical hemodynamic activity during cognitive tasks. We first consolidate the specifications of fNIRS devices employed in ADHD studies. Next, we discuss the neural markers derived from fNIRS data—including hemodynamic response function features, functional connectivity metrics, the beta coefficients of general linear model, graph theory measures, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, and multiscale entropy—alongside artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms achieving high diagnostic accuracy. Critically, we demonstrate fNIRS's utility in objectively monitoring treatment response, as evidenced by prefrontal cortex normalization and posterior activation modulation following interventions. To realize personalized diagnostics and therapeutics, future research should prioritize: (1) wearable fNIRS systems for ecological monitoring, (2) multimodal AI frameworks integrating fNIRS with behavioral/genetic data, and (3) standardized protocols validated in large-scale cohorts.