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Numerical model of electrical potential within the human head
Author(s) -
Nixon J. B.,
Rasser P. E.,
Teubner M. D.,
Clark C. R.,
Bottema M. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.649
Subject(s) - head (geology) , human head , relaxation (psychology) , convergence (economics) , dipole , iterative method , concentric , mathematical analysis , finite difference method , computer science , finite element method , materials science , mechanics , physics , algorithm , mathematics , geometry , geology , thermodynamics , psychology , social psychology , quantum mechanics , geomorphology , economic growth , economics
A realistic subject‐specific human head model was constructed based on structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data. Electrical conductivities were assigned inhomogeneously according to tissue type and variability within each head segment. A three‐dimensional (3D) finite‐difference method (FDM) was used to compute the evolution of the electrical potential from a single electrical dipole within the brain. The Douglas–Rachford FDM and three versions of iterative FDM were tested on a three‐layer concentric sphere model. The successive over‐relaxation (SOR) iterative method showed the best convergence properties and hence was used to compute the electrical potential within a realistic head model. The effect of using inhomogeneous rather than homogeneous conductivities within head segments of this model was shown to be important. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.