Project

Morphologically realistic neuron modeling for electromagnetic safety at intermediate frequencies

Code
BOF/STA/202409/029
Duration
01 August 2025 → 31 July 2029
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Modelling not elsewhere classified
    • Biomedical modelling
    • Other (bio)medical engineering not elsewhere classified
Keywords
intermediate frequencies electromagnetic safety computational neuroscience
 
Project description

To protect humans from potential adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields, the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE ICES) has published safety limits for various frequency ranges. At intermediate frequencies (e.g., induction heating and wireless power transfer: 300 Hz – 10 MHz), unintended neuromodulation is the dominant effect of electromagnetic field exposure. This project is part of a new work group of ICES to investigate the possibility of neuromodulation due to electromagnetic exposure with morphologically-realistic neuron models. First, morphologically realistic brain cells that include the axon collaterals, soma, and dendritic tree will result in more accurate predictions of the neuronal response to electromagnetic fields. Second, the importance of subthreshold modulation in small networks of brain cells will be explored. These improvements will result in a state-of-the-art assessment of the conservativeness of the ICES and ICNIRP guidelines/standard.