On the sensitivity of the vibrational response of the human head.

A parametric study based on finite element analysis is performed in order to investigate the sensitivity of the eigenfrequency spectrum of the human head system upon variation of its constitutive material properties. This study stems from the ever increasing medical interest connected to early diagnosis of brain edema and the lack of existing accurate and non-invasive diagnostic methods to achieve it. The present computational work aims to resolve the question of whether or not such a spectrum shifting is detectable with current experimental procedures. The human head is modeled as a prolate spheriod consisting of confocal shell representing the scalp-skull system, in contact with the subarachnoidal space which surrounds the brain. The skull is modeled as an isotropic elastic material whereas the brain is assumed to be a frequency dependent viscoelastic body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]