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. 2022 May;15(5):129-139.
doi: 10.4236/jbise.2022.155013. Epub 2022 May 25.

EMF Antenna Exposure on a Multilayer Human Head Simulation for Alzheimer Disease Treatments

Felipe P Perez  1 , Maryam Rahmani  2 , John Emberson  2 , Makenzie Weber  2 , Jorge Morisaki  3 , Farhan Amran  2 , Syazwani Bakri  2 , Akmal Halim  2 , Alston Dsouza  2 , Nurafifi Mohd Yusuff  2 , Amran Farhan  2 , James Maulucci  2 , Maher Rizkalla  2
Affiliations

EMF Antenna Exposure on a Multilayer Human Head Simulation for Alzheimer Disease Treatments

Felipe P Perez et al. J Biomed Sci Eng. 2022 May.

Abstract

In this paper, we follow up with our preliminary biological studies that showed that Repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (REMFS) decreased the toxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels, which is considered to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The REMFS parameters of these exposures were a frequency of 64 MHz and a Specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 to 0.9 W/Kg in primary human neuronal cultures. In this work, an electromagnetic field (EMF) model was simulated using high-frequency simulation system (HFSS/EMPro) software. Our goal was to achieve the EM parameters (EMF Frequency and SAR) required to decrease the toxic Aβ levels in our biological studies in a simulated human head. The simulations performed here will potentially lead to the successful development of an exposure system to treat Alzheimer's disease patients. A popular VFH (very high frequency) patch microstrip antenna system was considered in the study. The selection was based on simple and easy construction and appropriateness to the VHF applications. The evaluation of the SAR and temperature distribution on the various head layers, including skin, fat, dura, the cerebrospinal (CSF), and grey matter, brain tissues, were determined for efficacy SAR and safety temperature increase on a simulated human head. Based on a current pulse of 1 A peak current fed to the antenna feeder, a maximum SAR of 0.6 W/Kg was achieved. A range of 0.4 to 0.6 SAR was observed over the various layers of the simulated human head. The initial design of the antenna indicated an antenna size in the order of 1 m in length and width, suggesting a stationary practical model for AD therapy. Future direction is given for wearable antenna and exposure system, featuring high efficiency and patient comfort.

Keywords: Alzheimer; Antenna; Brain Tissues; EM; Simulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The patch antenna structure.
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The patch antenna structure.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
S11 parameter indicating radiation at 64 MHZ with −20 dbs magnitude.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The current pulse applied to the antenna feed to produce the 0.6 SAR required SAR.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The E field distribution from the feed region at x = 0 till Emax of 8.5 V/m.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
The SAR distribution: (a) in the XY plane, and (b) in the XZ plane. SAR values within tissues 0.2 to 0.9 SAR.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
The SAR distribution: (a) in the XY plane, and (b) in the XZ plane. SAR values within tissues 0.2 to 0.9 SAR.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
The SAR value generated by the antenna before application in the simulated brain tissue.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Future proposed antenna for wearable device system, (a) the antenna structure, and (b) the field distribution.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Proposed head phantom simulation with detailed anatomic layers for enhancing SAR results.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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