A Structurally-Detailed Finite Element Human Head Model for Brain-Electromagnetic Field Simulations

Abstract

Early studies on the modeling of electromagnetic (EM) field interactions with the human head have shown that induced current densities in the brain depend on both tissue geometry and its conductive properties. However, no head model of sufficient complexity for studying the physics of induced brain activation has been developed which provides well-defined smooth boundaries between tissues of different conductivities and orientations. In our study, we generated a detailed finite element model of the head that includes structural details to the level of cerebral gyri and sulci as well as axonal fiber tracts by combining different imaging modalities, namely computed tomography, magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging. The anisotropic properties of brain tissues accompanying these details have also been included.