Effects of parameters selection with transcranial direct current stimulation based on real head model / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a brain stimulation intervention technique, which has the problem of different criteria for the selection of stimulation parameters. In this study, a four-layer real head model was constructed. Based on this model, the changes of the electric field distribution in the brain with the current intensity, electrode shape, electrode area and electrode spacing were analyzed by using finite element simulation technology, and then the optimal scheme of electrical stimulation parameters was discussed. The results showed that the effective stimulation region decreased and the focusing ability increased with the increase of current intensity. The normal current density of the quadrilateral electrode was obviously larger than that of the circular electrode, which indicated that the quadrilateral electrode was more conducive to current stimulation of neurons. Moreover, the effective stimulation region of the quadrilateral electrode was more concentrated and the focusing ability was stronger. The focusing ability decreased with the increase of electrode area. Specifically, the focusing tended to increase first and then decrease with the increase of electrode spacing and the optimal electrode spacing was 64.0-67.2 mm. These results could provide some basis for the selection of electrical stimulation parameters.