Finite element mesh generation for a multi-compartment head model in Zeffiro Interface

Abstract

Modelling the human brain and simulating its functionality with computer programs introduces a great number of applications. These applications include for example applying finite element method for optimizing injection currents in transcranial direct electrical stimulation, a form of treatment used for example in depression and Parkinson’s disease, or localizing brain activity in different scenarios such as during an epileptic event to pinpoint the causing tissue in the brain.

Zeffiro Interface is one software representing recent advancement in finite element-based forward and inverse modeling of brain activity. It is an open-source software built for multidisciplinary GPU accelerated finite element method based forward and inverse computations for intricate geometries in Matlab environment. Zeffiro Interface originally started as a project for enabling the use of finite element method in electro- and magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG), but its modular parameter structure allows applications in other fields as well.

Finite element mesh generation is an essential step in finite element method. This thesis is a literature review about the finite element mesh generation process for a multi-compartment head model in Zeffiro Interface. As background information, the thesis also introduces the finite element method, its applications in brain modelling, and related technologies such as EEG and MEG. In addition, the thesis introduces computing examples of mesh generation using Zeffiro Interface along with documented procedure for both user interface and script.