Simulation of Electroencephalography (EEG) Using Abaqus

Electroencephalography (EEG) is used to obtain informa-tion about the electrical activity in the brain and is rou-tinely used to diagnose neurological abnormalities. The inverse problem in EEG refers to the procedure of locat-ing electrical sources in the brain from the extracranial electrical field measured on the scalp. The solution of the inverse problem requires the forward calculation of the electric field for a given source location. The significance of the inclusion of inhomogeneity and anisotropy in the electrical conductivity of the brain tissue in the forward solution is not well understood. In this Technology Brief we present examples that illustrate the use of the electri-cal analysis capability in Abaqus for calculating the for-ward solution based on the finite element method (FEM). The results from simulations in Abaqus can then be used to solve the inverse problem.