Validation of Computational Studies for Electrical Brain Stimulation With Phantom Head Experiments

Abstract Background Although computational studies of electrical brain stimulation (EBS) have received attention as a cost-effective tool, few studies have validated the technique, particularly in invasive cortical stimulation. Objective In order to validate such studies, we used EBS to compare elec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain stimulation 2015-09, Vol.8 (5), p.914-925
Main Authors: Kim, Donghyeon, Jeong, Jinmo, Jeong, Sangdo, Kim, Sohee, Jun, Sung Chan, Chung, Euiheon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain - physiology
Computational studies
Computer Simulation
Cortical stimulation
Electric Stimulation
Electrical brain stimulation
Humans
Models, Neurological
MRI-based phantom head
Neurology
Phantoms, Imaging
Stereotaxic Techniques
Validation studies
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Summary:Abstract Background Although computational studies of electrical brain stimulation (EBS) have received attention as a cost-effective tool, few studies have validated the technique, particularly in invasive cortical stimulation. Objective In order to validate such studies, we used EBS to compare electric potential distributions generated by both numerical simulations and empirical measurements in three phantom head models (one-/three-layered spherical heads and MRI-based head). Methods We constructed spherical phantom heads that consisted of one or three layers, and an anatomical, MRI-based phantom that consisted of three layers and represented the brain or brain/skull/scalp in order to perform both numerical simulations using the finite element method (FEM) and experimental measurements. Two stimulation electrodes (cathode and anode) were implanted in the phantoms to inject regulated input voltage, and the electric potential distributions induced were measured at various points located either on the surface or deep within the phantoms. Results We observed that both the electric potential distributions from the numerical simulations and experiments behaved similarly and resulted in average relative differences of 5.4% (spherical phantom) and 10.3% (MRI-based phantom). Conclusions This study demonstrated that numerical simulation is reasonably consistent with actual experimental measurements; thus, because of its cost-effectiveness, EBS computational studies may be an attractive approach for necessary intensive/extensive studies.
ISSN:1935-861X
1876-4754
DOI:10.1016/j.brs.2015.06.009