Numerical Modeling and Computer Simulation of a Meander Line Antenna for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment, a Feasibility...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder with limited treatment options.
• Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides are implicated as a primary cause of AD.
• Existing pharmaceutical interventions for AD have shown minimal impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of Repeated Electromagnetic Field Stimulation (REFMS) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment.
• To design and simulate a portable Meander Line Antenna (MLA) for delivering EMF at 64 MHz with specific absorption rate (SAR) for AD therapy.
• To ensure uniform E/H field and SAR distribution with adequate penetration depth for safe treatment.

Main Methods:

• Numerical modeling and computer simulations using High-Frequency Simulation System (HFSS).
• Design of a 24-turn MLA (60 cm x 25 cm) with a resonant frequency of 64 MHz.
• Testing the MLA using MIDA and spherical human head phantoms with multiple tissue layers, fed by a 50-Watt source to achieve 0.6 W/kg SAR.

Main Results:

• The designed MLA achieved the target resonant frequency of 64 MHz.
• Simulations revealed non-uniform E/H field and SAR distribution, with high values near the antenna and low values distally.
• The study detailed antenna parameters, scattering and efficiency responses, and field distributions.

Conclusions:

• The simulated MLA shows promise for AD treatment via REFMS, though field homogeneity requires further optimization.
• Further research is needed to refine the antenna design for a practical, uniform SAR distribution in brain tissue.
• This work provides a foundation for developing portable EMF devices for Alzheimer's disease therapy.