Modeling transcranial DC stimulation

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2008:2008:4226-9. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2008.4650142.

Abstract

A method to estimate the potential and current density distribution during transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) is introduced. The volume conductor model consists of a realistic head model (concerning shape as well as conductivity), obtained from TI-, PD- and DT-MR images. The model includes five compartments with different conductivities. For the skull and the white matter compartments, the conductivities are anisotropic. Using this model, the potentials inside the head that are generated by tDCS electrodes positioned on the scalp were computed by using the Finite Element Method. The results show that this is a promising method for the study of the effects of tDCS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Anisotropy
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Stimulation*
  • Electrodes
  • Equipment Design
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Models, Anatomic
  • Models, Neurological
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Software