Abstract

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Title:: Effects of cathode parameters on electric field distribution in transcranial direct current stimulation

Author(s):: LU Yawen1; LU Mai2; 1. The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; 2. Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology and Intelligent Control, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Keywords:: ; Keywords: transcranial direct current stimulation; COMSOL; spherical head model; number of elextrodes; electric field strength

Abstract:: Abstract: Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-interventional stimulation method. A 3-layer concentric sphere finite element model is established based on human head anatomical structure via COMSOL simulation software, so as to explore the effects of the number and location of cathode electrodes on spatial electric field distribution in head and brain model. The effects of the number of cathode electrodes on electric field distribution at different deflection angles are studied with numerical method, and the relationships between the electric field strength and the number of cathode electrodes at different deflection angles are obtained. The results show that the number of cathode electrodes and deflection angle have different effects on the electric field distribution in head and brain tissues. The increase of cathode deflection angle makes the electric field more easily distribute in the deeper brain tissues. Placing 2-3 cathode electrodes gives the cortex a better stimulation. In practical application, an optimal cathode deflection angle and a reasonable number of cathode electrodes should be selected according to the location and stimulation strength of the stimulation targets.