Presenter: Christopher De La Cruz

Faculty Sponsor: Sumientra Rampersad

School: UMass Boston

Research Area: Physics

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, 163, C24

ABSTRACT

Temporal interference stimulation (TIS) is a neuromodulation technique that relies on the interference of high frequency electric fields to generate spatially localized modulation within brain tissue. While multiple computational modeling approaches have been successfully applied to human brain models, accurate modeling in non-human primates remains limited. This study presents the development of a computational pipeline to construct an accurate realistic non-human primate head model, specifically a Macaca mulatta head model, and be able to simulate tTIS targeting different regions of the brain model. 

Modeling non-human primates presents distinct challenges. Low-resolution MRI data, incomplete cranial coverage, and potential metal hardware are some of the main issues that we face. To address those issues, we used a high-resolution macaque atlas to construct the anatomical model, and we reconstructed the electrodes from our own images. Using automated and manual techniques, MRI images were segmented into scalp, skull, gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid regions.. 

The completed model will then be converted into a finite element model and imported into SCIRun where we can simulate the electric field of each electrode pair and compute temporal interference fields across varying electrode current ratios. This will allow us to evaluate field strength in the target area, optimization of stimulation parameters, and spatial focus. This pipeline will establish a methodological foundation for realistic non-human primate neuromodulation modeling, and it will provide a transferable framework for future stimulation and neuroscience research.