Open Zeffiro Interface as a Tool For Electrical Brain Stimulation

Abstract

Brain imaging and electromagnetic investigations play a pivotal role in unraveling the intricacies of the human brain. The brain, with its billions of neurons firing and communicating ceaselessly, represents one of the most intricate and fascinating frontiers of science. Understanding how it works, both in health and disease, is a monumental task that requires innovative approaches, sophisticated tools, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This quest for knowledge has led to the development of various imaging techniques and computational methods, ultimately aimed at deciphering the enigma that is the human brain. The Zeffiro Interface (ZI), version 5.16, emerges as a noteworthy player in this endeavor. It stands at the intersection of neuroscience, computer science, and engineering, offering a unique platform for electro-magnetic brain imaging research. This thesis aims to provide an extensive exploration of ZI, with a specific focus on its applications in transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). The human brain, a complex network of interconnected neurons, orchestrates our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Deciphering its functioning is crucial for advancing our understanding or cognition, behavior, and neurological disorders. To achieve this, scientists and researchers employ various imaging techniques and computational tools to peer into the intricate world of the brain. Electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and electrical impedance tomogra-phy (EIT) are some of the key imaging techniques used to investigate brain activity and conductivity dis-tributions. These methods provide valuable insights into how the brain’s electrical and magnetic fields in-teract and how they can be harnessed for research and clinical applications. The Zeffiro Interface (ZI), version 5.16, enters this domain as an open-source platform designed to facilitate electromagnetic brain imaging. It relies on the finite element method (FEM), a powerful compu-tational technique for modeling electromagnetic fields within the brain and head. This method enables the accurate representation of three-dimensional tissue parameters, allowing for realistic simulations of brain activity and conductivity distributions. The primary objective of this thesis is to provide comprehensive documentation and a user guide for the Zeffiro interface, particularly emphasizing its applications in brain stimulation through transcranial electri-cal stimulation (tES). This documentation spans from explaining the fundamental principles underpinning ZI to offering practical guidance on leveraging its capabilities.