Combination of neural-mass models with anisotropic head models to simulate EEG signals

With the help of neural-mass models it is possible to simulate different kinds of electroencephalographic signals in the human brain. By implementing several populations of a neural-mass model in a finite element model of the human head the influence of each population to the potentials measured at the scalp can be simulated. To achieve more realistic values, our model of the human head considers the anisotropic conductivity of the brain and the skull. This paper describes how the neural-mass model as proposed by Friston et al. and an anisotropic head model can be combined to simulate realistic time-dependent electroencephalographic signals on the scalp. As proof of principle we simulate five neural populations in the cerebral cortex.