Skip to main content
Log in

Finite-element model of the human head: scalp potentials due to dipole sources

  • Modelling
  • Published:
Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Three-dimensional finite-element models provide a method to study the relationship between human scalp potentials and neural current sources inside the brain. A new formulation of dipole-like current sources is developed here. Finiteelement analyses based on this formulation are carried out for both a threeconcentric-spheres model and a human-head model. Differences in calculated scalp potentials between these two models are studied in the context of the forward and inverse problems in EEG. The effects of the eye orbit structure on surface potential distribution are also studied.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ary, J. P., Klein, S. A. andFender, D. H. (1981) Location of sources of evoked scalp potentials: corrections for skull and scalp thickness.IEEE Trans.,BME-28, 447–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, R. (1981)Concepts and applications of finite element analysis. Wiley, New York.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Dhatt, G. andTouzot, G. (1984)The finite element method displayed. Wiley, New York.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • He, B., Busha, T., Okamoto, Y., Homma, S., Nakajima, Y. andSato, T. (1987) Electric dipole tracing in the brain by means of the boundary element method and its accuracy.IEEE Trans.,BME-34, 406–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, E. andOwen, D. (1984)Finite element software for plates and shells Pineridge Press.

  • Huebner, K. andThornton, E. (1984)The finite element method for engineers. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meijs, J. andPeters, M. (1987) The EEG and EMG, using a model of eccentric spheres to describe the head.IEEE Trans.,BME-34, 913–920.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, P. L. (1981)Electric fields of the brain: the neurophysics of EEG. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, P. L. (1987a) Removal of reference electrode and volume conduction effects by spatial deconvolution of evoked potentials using a three-concentric sphere model of the head. The London Symposium.Electroencephal. Clin. Neurophysiol.,39, Suppl., 143–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, P. L. (1987b) A method to estimate local skull resistance in living subjects.IEEE Trans.,BME-34, 902–904.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, P. L. (1989) Estimation of large scale neocortical source activity with EEG surface Laplacians.Brain Topography,2, 141–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunez, P. L. (1990) Localization of brain activity with electroencephalography. InAdvances in neurology, Vol. 54 Magnetoencephalography,Sato, S. (Ed.), Raven Press, 39–65.

  • Plonsey, R. (1969)Bioelectric phenomena. McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rush, S. andDriscoll, D. (1968) Current distribution in the brain from surface electrodes.Anesth. & Analg.,47, 717–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rush, S. andDriscoll, D. (1969) EEG electrode sensitivity: an application of reciprocity.IEEE Trans.,BME-16, 15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherg, M. andvon Cramon, D. (1985) Two bilateral sources of the late AEP as identified by spatio-temporal dipole model.Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol.,62, 32–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sepulveda, N., Walker, C. andHeath, R. (1983) Finite element analysis of current pathways with implanted electrodes.J. Biomed. Eng.,5, 41–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sepulveda, N. (1984) Electric field distribution in three dimensional regions using the finite element method. Ph.D. Dissertation, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Y. (1988) A finite element model of the human head—surface potentials due to dipole sources in the brain. MS Thesis, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yan, Y., Nunez, P.L. & Hart, R.T. Finite-element model of the human head: scalp potentials due to dipole sources. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 29, 475–481 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442317

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442317

Keywords

Navigation