A finite element analysis of the effect of electrode area and inter-electrode distance on the spatial distribution of the current density in tDCS.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the effect of electrode area and inter-electrode distance on the spatial distribution of the current density in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). For this purpose, we used the finite element method to compute the distribution of the current density in a four-layered spherical head model using various electrode montages, corresponding to a range of electrode sizes and inter-electrode distances. We found that smaller electrodes required slightly less current to achieve a constant value of the current density at a reference point on the brain surface located directly under the electrode center. Under these conditions, smaller electrodes also produced a more focal current density distribution in the brain, i.e. the magnitude of the current density fell more rapidl

SUBMITTER: Faria P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3411515 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature