title: Modeling anisotropic light propagation in a realistic model of the human head.
abstract: A Monte Carlo model capable of describing photon migration in arbitrary three-dimensional geometry with spatially varying optical properties and tissue anisotropy is presented. We use the model to explore the effects of anisotropy for optical measurements of the human head. An anisotropic diffusion equation that corresponds to our Monte Carlo model is derived, and a comparison between the Monte Carlo model and the diffusion equation solution with finite elements is given.
authors.affiliation: BioMag Laboratory, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029 HUS, Finland. juha.heiskala@iki.fi
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heiskala
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nissilä
authors.forename: Tuomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neuvonen
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Järvenpää
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Somersalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D041622:Tomography, Optical / Q000379:methods*