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| This page will explain the differents options available within brainstorm to generate the FEM mesh. | = FEM mesh generation = ''Authors: [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/AboutUs/tmedani#preview|Takfarinas Medani]], Francois Tadel'' |
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| Describe meshGeneration here. | FEM forward modeling requires the construction of a 3D model of the head tissues. The volume of the head is divided in small geometrical elements with 4 faces (tetrahedrons) or 6 faces (hexahedrons). Each element is associated with a type of biological tissue (e.g. white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull, skin) and electrical conductivity properties. |
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| This page lists the methods integrated with Brainstorm to generate 3D meshes of the head. For a generic introduction to FEM in Brainstorm, refer to the tutorials: [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/Duneuro|Realistic head model: FEM with DUNEuro]] and [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMedianNerve|FEM median nerve example]]. | |
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| <<TableOfContents(3,2)>> | |
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| ==== SimNIBS Installation ==== Please follow the instructions on this [[https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/installation/simnibs_installer.html|webapge]]''__ (new brainstom page that explain how to generate the head model is under development)__'' |
== Generate FEM mesh == FEM meshes can be computed from surfaces (as the ones generated for the [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/TutBem#BEM_surfaces|BEM models]]) or from MRI volumes (T1w and/or T2w). The methods that are available when using the popup menu '''Generate FEM mesh''' depend on the selected inputs. |
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| in order to do the SimNibs software shoud be installed in your computer. | === Surfaces === Select a list of surfaces representing the separation between different tissues (holding the CTRL or SHIFT key), then right-click on any of them. The software [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#Iso2mesh|Iso2mesh]] can create a tetrahedral mesh to represent the tissues between these different layers. |
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| ==== Iso2Mesh Installation ==== If iso2mesh is not installed in your computer, Brainstrom will download the last release from this [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/http://iso2mesh.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi?Download|webpage]] and install it when it'is needed. However, you can also download the iso2mesh from the [[https://github.com/fangq/iso2mesh|github]] and add it to your matlab path. |
{{attachment:callSurf.gif}} |
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| ==== Brain2Mesh Installation [TODO] ==== ==== Brainsuite Installation [TODO] ==== == FEM surfaces / Volume generation == === Volume mesh generation from Brainstorm === The most modern software that are used to generate the volume mesh head model are integrated within brainstorm with an easy graphical interface to use call these tools. |
=== T1 MRI === Right-click on a T1 MRI available in the database. Typically, this is the default MRI volume displayed in green in the subject folder. Methods available: [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#Brain2mesh|Brain2mesh]], [[http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#SimNIBS|SimNIBS]], [[http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#ROAST|ROAST]], [[http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#FieldTrip|FieldTrip]]. |
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| Right click on the subject and then "Generate FEM Mesh" | {{attachment:callT1.gif}} |
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| {{attachment:menuGenerateFemMesh.PNG|height="40",width="150"}} | === T1+T2 MRI === Select the T1+T2 volumes, then right-click on any of them. The different files are identified based on the tags "T1" and "T2" the file names (as displayed in the Brainstorm database explorer). If these identification tags are not found in the file names, the default MRI (in green) is used as the T1, the other as the T2. If none of the is the default MRI, the first selected file is used as the T1, the second is used as the T2. Methods available: [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#Brain2mesh|Brain2mesh]], [[http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#SimNIBS|SimNIBS]], [[http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMesh#ROAST|ROAST]]. |
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| The available options are : | {{attachment:callT1T2.gif}} |
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| . {{attachment:FemMeshMethods.PNG|height="50",width="100"}} | === Anatomy folder === If you right-click on the subject folder > Generate FEM mesh, then Brainstorm offers all the possible options, even the ones that are not applicable to this specific subject. |
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| "Iso2mesh" : This option merges the brainstorm surfaces available on the subject and then generarte the tetrahedral mesh. | * '''Volume ''''''method''': If using a method based on MRI volumes, the T1 and T2 volumes are detected among all the volumes available based on the tags "T1" and "T2" in the file names (make sure only one file as each of these tags), otherwise use only the default MRI (in green) as the T1. * '''Surface method''': If using a method based on surfaces, the default surfaces (in green) from three categories as selected: the inner skull, the outer skull and the head surfaces. |
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| "Brain2Mesh" : This options uses the MRIs available on the subjects, then it calls the SPM segmentation of the volume into 5 tissus (white, gray, scf, skull and skin). After that it converts into a tetrahedral mesh. | {{attachment:callAnat.gif}} |
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| "SimNibs" : The recommended option, it calls the headreco {ref} and generate a FEM head model | == Iso2mesh == [[http://iso2mesh.sourceforge.net|Iso2mesh]] is a Matlab/Octave-based mesh generation and processing toolbox, available as a [[https://Tutorials/Plugins|Brainstorm plugin]]. |
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| "FieldTrip" : (in progress) "Roast" : (in progress) | Brainstorm uses it to generate a FEM tetrahedral mesh from a set of '''nested surfaces''' representing the separation between different tissues of the head. For example, these surfaces can be the ones generated for the computation of a [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/TutBem#BEM_surfaces|BEM forward model]]. A full example is available in the tutorial [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/Duneuro#FEM_mesh|Realistic head model: FEM with DUNEuro]]. |
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| "headreco" : | {{attachment:iso2meshOptions.gif}} |
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| https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/documentation/command_line/headreco.html | ==== Options ==== * '''MergeMesh''': Simply concatenates the input surfaces without any intersection checks. Default option (faster). * '''MergeSurf''': Concatenates and checks for intersections, split intersecting elements. Advanced option (slower). * '''Max tetrahedral volume''': Maximum volume of the tetrahedral element in the mesh. * From our tests, a DUNEuro FEM head model with a value of 0.1 achieves similar results as the OpenMeeg head model computed from the same surfaces. We have also noticed that the result with v = 0,001 is almost similar to v = 0,01. * Increasing the mesh resolution requires more time to generate the mesh, more time and memory to perform the FEM computation and more storage space in the database. * '''Percentage of elements kept''': Parameter between 0-100%, used to keep or not the original input surface nodes. |
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| This function is part of the SimNibs software: | ==== Examples ==== * FEM mesh with different values of "Max volume": [10, 1, 0.1, 0.01] - Kept ratio=100%.<<BR>><<BR>> {{attachment:iso2meshMaxvol.gif}} * FEM meshes with only two compartments: This could be useful for investigating the influence of a specific tissue on the EEG/MEG forward solution or on the source localization, or for analyzing SEEG only within the brain volume. On the left: head and outer skull; On the right: inner and outer skull. <<BR>><<BR>> {{attachment:iso2Mesh2layer.gif}} |
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| https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/index.html | ==== Troubleshooting ==== * '''Tetget failed''': If intersections are present on the surfaces mesh, the iso2mesh FEM mesh generation fails (tetgen). You may need regenerate new surfaces from the MRI. ''' ''' * Alternatively: You may try with the MergSurf option, this option can correct the intersection and create new nodes and elements. However, we do not recommend to use these models for EEG/MEG forward head computations: this is a research topic and it's still under investigation by the FEM communities. |
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| === headreco === The headreco function is fully integrated to brainstorm. With this option, brainstorm can reconstructs a tetrahedral head mesh from T1- and T2-weighted structural MR images. It runs also with only a T1w image, but it will achieve more reliable skull segmentations when a T2w image is supplied. |
== Brain2mesh == [[http://mcx.space/brain2mesh/|Brain2mesh]] is a MATLAB/Octave based 3D mesh generation toolbox dedicated to the creation of high-quality multi-layered brain mesh models. This software is developed by the same team developing Iso2mesh and relies heavily on it. Both are available as a [[https://Tutorials/Plugins|Brainstorm plugins]]. Warning: Requires the '''Imaging Processing Toolbox'''. |
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| === Surface mesh generation from volume mesh === === Volume generation from surface files === In this part you can generate your FEM mesh from surfaces that you can get fron the segmentation software (brainSuite, FreeSurfer ....). |
Brainstorm runs the '''SPM12 '''segmentation routine on the '''T1 '''or '''T1+T2 MRI''' volumes to obtain a 5-tissue classification (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and skin), which is then passed to Brain2mesh for 3D meshing. A full example is available in the tutorial [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemTensors#FEM_mesh|FEM tensors estimation]]. This option runs fast, but does not generate good quality cortex surfaces, which are needed for the full cortically-constrained source estimation pipeline in Brainstorm. |
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| This process will | At the moment, Brainstorm can only use the default parameters of Brain2mesh. If you need more options to be available from the interface, please contact us on the user forum. |
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| - merge the surfaces, | {{attachment:brain2meshCall.gif}} |
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| - check the self intersecting | {{attachment:brain2meshMesh.gif}} |
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| - fixe the size of the mesh | ==== Troubleshooting ==== * '''SPM-related errors''': If you've been trying multiple methods successively, errors mentioning a spm_*.m function could be due to incompatible versions of SPM12 functions in the Matlab path. Brain2mesh, FieldTrip and ROAST all run different versions of SPM12 from the same instance of Matlab. Solution: '''Restart Matlab''' to get a fresh workspace. |
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| - generate the volum mesh | == SimNIBS == [[https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs|SimNIBS]] software was developed to calculate the electric fields caused by Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). All its software dependencies (CAT12, Netgen, Gmsh, MeshFix) are embedded in the SimNIBS installation, which ensures a high stability and portability. However, it cannot be managed automatically as a plugin by Brainstorm, and needs to be installed manually. See: [[https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/installation/simnibs_installer.html|Download and install SimNIBS]]. |
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| - visual checking ... | In Brainstorm, we use the [[https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/documentation/command_line/headreco.html|headreco]] pipeline to process '''T1''' or '''T1+T2 MRI''' volumes (T1 is required, [[https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/tutorial/head_meshing.html|T2 is highly recommended]]). This pipeline generates the highest-quality tetrahedral FEM mesh we can get from Brainstorm. It calls internally [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/SegCAT12|CAT12]] for tissue segmentation (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and scalp), and therefore gives us access to high-quality cortex surfaces and surface-based atlases. The tetrahedral mesh generation is done with Gmsh, Netgen and MeshFix. Depending on your computer performances, this process will take between 2 to 5 hours. |
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| - TODO : may be we can add some mesh auqlity measures ?? | Given the high quality and exhaustivity of its outputs, SimNIBS/headreco is the recommended method for FEM mesh generation in Brainstorm. A full example is available in the tutorial: [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/FemMedianNerve#FEM_mesh_with_SimNIBS|FEM median nerve example]]. |
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| '''<<TAG(Advanced)>>''' | {{attachment:simnibs.gif}} |
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| === Volume generation from T1/T2 MRI data === You can also generate your own FEM head model and then load it to brainstorm. However the automatic head model generation from from imaging techniques are not accurate and most of the time visual checking are needed and manual correction are required. |
{{attachment:simnibs2.gif}} |
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| ==> this depends lagely on the quality of the T1/T2 MRI image(https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/tutorial/head_meshing.html). | {{attachment:simnibs3.gif}} |
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| This step is based on the "roast" toolbox (link to roast : https://github.com/andypotatohy/roast | ==== Options ==== * '''Vertex density''': Number of node per mm2 of the surface mesh. * '''Number of vertices''': This is not an input parameter of SimNIBS, but a parameter to control how much to downsample the cortex surface generated by CAT12 when importing it into the Brainstorm database. See the [[https://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/Tutorials/ImportAnatomy#Import_the_anatomy|introduction tutorials]]. |
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| ) that we adapted for the MEEG forward computation. If you want to generate your own FEM head model from an MRI, you will need to download these file (link), then run the bst process as explained here. | ==== Troubleshooting ==== * SimNIBS help: https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/installation/throubleshooting.html |
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| * f there is a MRI file with the string "T2" in the subject anatomy folder, it will use it * Otherwise, if you select explicitly two MRI files with CTRL+Click, it will use the first one as the T1 and the second one as the T2 (this needs to be documented in the tutorial) |
== ROAST == [[https://www.parralab.org/roast/|ROAST]] is a fully automated, Realistic, vOlumetric Approach to Simulate Transcranial electric stimulation. Open-source and Matlab-based, it is available as a [[https://Tutorials/Plugins|Brainstorm plugin]]. It calls internally SPM8 for tissue segmentation of the '''T1 '''or '''T1+T2 MRI''' volumes to obtain a 5-tissue classification (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and skin). Then it relies mostly on iso2mesh for generating a tetrahedral mesh. |
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| === FEM Head model generation with SimNibs === This method used the SimNibs software. So to call this process, you need to download and install the SimNibs software, the process of the installation is explained in the SimNibs webpage : https://simnibs.github.io/simnibs/build/html/installation/simnibs_installer.html. |
This option runs fast, but does not generate good quality cortex surfaces, which are needed for the full cortically-constrained source estimation pipeline in Brainstorm. |
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| When you have installed SimNibs, Brainstorm can call the main function used for the mesh generation frm the main graphical interface. Depemding on your computer performances, this process will take between 2 to 5 hours. We highly recommend to close all other running process and application on our computer in order to speed this process. | {{attachment:roast1.gif}} |
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| - Explain here the main steps with screenshots : | {{attachment:roast2.gif}} |
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| 1- Create new subject within the current protocole | ==== Troubleshooting ==== * '''SPM-related errors''': If you've been trying multiple methods successively, errors mentioning a spm_*.m function could be due to incompatible versions of SPM12 functions in the Matlab path. Brain2mesh, FieldTrip and ROAST all run different versions of SPM12 from the same instance of Matlab. Solution: '''Restart Matlab''' to get a fresh workspace. |
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| 2- Load the T1 of the subject to the brainstorm database. | == Fieldtrip == [[http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org/|FieldTrip]] is an open-source Matlab-based toolbox that includes a pipeline dedicated to the generation of [[http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org/tutorial/headmodel_eeg_fem/|hexahedral FEM mesh]]. It is available as a [[https://Tutorials/Plugins|Brainstorm plugin]]. |
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| 3- Associate a T2 mri to the subject if it's available (this is better for csf/skull/scalp segmentation) | Brainstorm calls the function [[https://github.com/fieldtrip/fieldtrip/blob/release/ft_volumesegment.m|ft_volumesegment]] on the '''T1 MRI''' volume to obtain a tissue segmentation with 5 layers (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and skin), then [[https://github.com/fieldtrip/fieldtrip/blob/release/ft_prepare_mesh.m|ft_prepare_mesh_hexa]] to create a hexahedral mesh. |
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| 4- Right click on the subject, select the "Generate FEM mesh" | The mesh generation with the method is simple and fast: it downsamples the tissue classification volume, then converts all the voxels to a hexahedral mesh. The quality of the output is relatively poor: the regular meshing of the voxels makes it inefficient for providing a good representation of the tissues geometry with a limited number of elements. |
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| . Select "SIMNIBS", and choose "Tetrahedral element" and keep the other options to the default value. | {{attachment:fieldtrip1.gif}} |
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| 5- When this process is finished, a new node will appear in the data base, which hase he name "FEM xxxV, (simNibs, yLayers)". This is the FEM mesh model generated from the T1. | {{attachment:fieldtrip2.gif}} |
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| === FEM Head model template === - Load the FEM volumic mesh (template created from ICBM T1 MRI using SimNibs) |
==== Options ==== * '''Downsample volume before meshing''': When processing the tissue classification volume, reduce the number of voxels along each dimension by this factor. * '''Shift nodes to fit geometry''': The option calls the adaptative mesh generation. The process moves the nodes located on the interface either inward or outward in order to fit the geometry as explained in the [[http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org/tutorial/headmodel_eeg_fem/|FieldTrip tutorial]]. Below, the example from the FieldTrip website, left=original, right=shifted.<<BR>><<BR>> {{attachment:nodeShiftFigure.JPG||width="500",height="200"}} |
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| - Load the surface mesh (template created also from ICBM using ICBM ) and then generates the volume mesh (either tetra or hexa) by calling the tetgen process cia iso2mesh toolbox (if hexa are desired, the tetra mesh will be converted to hexa ... ) | ==== Troubleshooting ==== * '''SPM-related errors''': If you've been trying multiple methods successively, errors mentioning a spm_*.m function could be due to incompatible versions of SPM12 functions in the Matlab path. Brain2mesh, FieldTrip and ROAST all run different versions of SPM12 from the same instance of Matlab. Solution: '''Restart Matlab''' to get a fresh workspace. |
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| https://github.com/brainstorm-tools/brainstorm3/issues/185#issuecomment-576749612 | == On the hard drive == Right-click on a FEM mesh > File > View file contents: |
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| === Head model based on the level set approach === TODO and Validate |
{{attachment:femContents.gif}} ==== Structure of the FEM mesh files: tess_fem_*.mat ==== * '''Comment''': String displayed in the database explorer to represent the file. * '''Vertices''': [Nvertices x 3], coordinates (x,y,z) of all the nodes of the tetrahedral or hexahedral mesh, in SCS coordinates. * '''Elements''': * Tetrahedral mesh: [Nelements x 4], list of indices corresponding to the rows of the Vertices matrix, each set of 4 connected vertices identifying a tetrahedron of the mesh. * Hexahedral mesh: [Nelements x 8], list of indices corresponding to the rows of the Vertices matrix, each set of 8 connected vertices identifying a hexahedron of the mesh. * '''Tissue''': [Nelements x 1], for each Element, index of the corresponding tissue (e.g. wm=1, gm=2, csf=3, skull=4, scalp=5) * '''TissueLabels''': Labels of the tissues, e.g. {'white' 'gray' 'csf' 'skull' 'scalp'} * '''Tensors''': [Nelements x 12] if tensors are computed, otherwise empty. The 12 values are the eigenvalues and eigenvectors interpolated on each element of the mesh. * '''History''': List of operations performed on this file (menu File > View file history). |
FEM mesh generation
Authors: Takfarinas Medani, Francois Tadel
FEM forward modeling requires the construction of a 3D model of the head tissues. The volume of the head is divided in small geometrical elements with 4 faces (tetrahedrons) or 6 faces (hexahedrons). Each element is associated with a type of biological tissue (e.g. white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull, skin) and electrical conductivity properties.
This page lists the methods integrated with Brainstorm to generate 3D meshes of the head. For a generic introduction to FEM in Brainstorm, refer to the tutorials: Realistic head model: FEM with DUNEuro and FEM median nerve example.
Contents
Generate FEM mesh
FEM meshes can be computed from surfaces (as the ones generated for the BEM models) or from MRI volumes (T1w and/or T2w). The methods that are available when using the popup menu Generate FEM mesh depend on the selected inputs.
Surfaces
Select a list of surfaces representing the separation between different tissues (holding the CTRL or SHIFT key), then right-click on any of them. The software Iso2mesh can create a tetrahedral mesh to represent the tissues between these different layers.
T1 MRI
Right-click on a T1 MRI available in the database. Typically, this is the default MRI volume displayed in green in the subject folder. Methods available: Brain2mesh, SimNIBS, ROAST, FieldTrip.
T1+T2 MRI
Select the T1+T2 volumes, then right-click on any of them. The different files are identified based on the tags "T1" and "T2" the file names (as displayed in the Brainstorm database explorer). If these identification tags are not found in the file names, the default MRI (in green) is used as the T1, the other as the T2. If none of the is the default MRI, the first selected file is used as the T1, the second is used as the T2. Methods available: Brain2mesh, SimNIBS, ROAST.
Anatomy folder
If you right-click on the subject folder > Generate FEM mesh, then Brainstorm offers all the possible options, even the ones that are not applicable to this specific subject.
Volume method: If using a method based on MRI volumes, the T1 and T2 volumes are detected among all the volumes available based on the tags "T1" and "T2" in the file names (make sure only one file as each of these tags), otherwise use only the default MRI (in green) as the T1.
Surface method: If using a method based on surfaces, the default surfaces (in green) from three categories as selected: the inner skull, the outer skull and the head surfaces.
Iso2mesh
Iso2mesh is a Matlab/Octave-based mesh generation and processing toolbox, available as a Brainstorm plugin.
Brainstorm uses it to generate a FEM tetrahedral mesh from a set of nested surfaces representing the separation between different tissues of the head. For example, these surfaces can be the ones generated for the computation of a BEM forward model. A full example is available in the tutorial Realistic head model: FEM with DUNEuro.
Options
MergeMesh: Simply concatenates the input surfaces without any intersection checks. Default option (faster).
MergeSurf: Concatenates and checks for intersections, split intersecting elements. Advanced option (slower).
Max tetrahedral volume: Maximum volume of the tetrahedral element in the mesh.
From our tests, a DUNEuro FEM head model with a value of 0.1 achieves similar results as the OpenMeeg head model computed from the same surfaces. We have also noticed that the result with v = 0,001 is almost similar to v = 0,01.
- Increasing the mesh resolution requires more time to generate the mesh, more time and memory to perform the FEM computation and more storage space in the database.
Percentage of elements kept: Parameter between 0-100%, used to keep or not the original input surface nodes.
Examples
FEM mesh with different values of "Max volume": [10, 1, 0.1, 0.01] - Kept ratio=100%.
FEM meshes with only two compartments: This could be useful for investigating the influence of a specific tissue on the EEG/MEG forward solution or on the source localization, or for analyzing SEEG only within the brain volume. On the left: head and outer skull; On the right: inner and outer skull.
Troubleshooting
Tetget failed: If intersections are present on the surfaces mesh, the iso2mesh FEM mesh generation fails (tetgen). You may need regenerate new surfaces from the MRI.
Alternatively: You may try with the MergSurf option, this option can correct the intersection and create new nodes and elements. However, we do not recommend to use these models for EEG/MEG forward head computations: this is a research topic and it's still under investigation by the FEM communities.
Brain2mesh
Brain2mesh is a MATLAB/Octave based 3D mesh generation toolbox dedicated to the creation of high-quality multi-layered brain mesh models. This software is developed by the same team developing Iso2mesh and relies heavily on it. Both are available as a Brainstorm plugins. Warning: Requires the Imaging Processing Toolbox.
Brainstorm runs the SPM12 segmentation routine on the T1 or T1+T2 MRI volumes to obtain a 5-tissue classification (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and skin), which is then passed to Brain2mesh for 3D meshing. A full example is available in the tutorial FEM tensors estimation. This option runs fast, but does not generate good quality cortex surfaces, which are needed for the full cortically-constrained source estimation pipeline in Brainstorm.
At the moment, Brainstorm can only use the default parameters of Brain2mesh. If you need more options to be available from the interface, please contact us on the user forum.
Troubleshooting
SPM-related errors: If you've been trying multiple methods successively, errors mentioning a spm_*.m function could be due to incompatible versions of SPM12 functions in the Matlab path. Brain2mesh, FieldTrip and ROAST all run different versions of SPM12 from the same instance of Matlab. Solution: Restart Matlab to get a fresh workspace.
SimNIBS
SimNIBS software was developed to calculate the electric fields caused by Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). All its software dependencies (CAT12, Netgen, Gmsh, MeshFix) are embedded in the SimNIBS installation, which ensures a high stability and portability. However, it cannot be managed automatically as a plugin by Brainstorm, and needs to be installed manually. See: Download and install SimNIBS.
In Brainstorm, we use the headreco pipeline to process T1 or T1+T2 MRI volumes (T1 is required, T2 is highly recommended). This pipeline generates the highest-quality tetrahedral FEM mesh we can get from Brainstorm. It calls internally CAT12 for tissue segmentation (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and scalp), and therefore gives us access to high-quality cortex surfaces and surface-based atlases. The tetrahedral mesh generation is done with Gmsh, Netgen and MeshFix. Depending on your computer performances, this process will take between 2 to 5 hours.
Given the high quality and exhaustivity of its outputs, SimNIBS/headreco is the recommended method for FEM mesh generation in Brainstorm. A full example is available in the tutorial: FEM median nerve example.
Options
Vertex density: Number of node per mm2 of the surface mesh.
Number of vertices: This is not an input parameter of SimNIBS, but a parameter to control how much to downsample the cortex surface generated by CAT12 when importing it into the Brainstorm database. See the introduction tutorials.
Troubleshooting
ROAST
ROAST is a fully automated, Realistic, vOlumetric Approach to Simulate Transcranial electric stimulation. Open-source and Matlab-based, it is available as a Brainstorm plugin. It calls internally SPM8 for tissue segmentation of the T1 or T1+T2 MRI volumes to obtain a 5-tissue classification (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and skin). Then it relies mostly on iso2mesh for generating a tetrahedral mesh.
This option runs fast, but does not generate good quality cortex surfaces, which are needed for the full cortically-constrained source estimation pipeline in Brainstorm.
Troubleshooting
SPM-related errors: If you've been trying multiple methods successively, errors mentioning a spm_*.m function could be due to incompatible versions of SPM12 functions in the Matlab path. Brain2mesh, FieldTrip and ROAST all run different versions of SPM12 from the same instance of Matlab. Solution: Restart Matlab to get a fresh workspace.
Fieldtrip
FieldTrip is an open-source Matlab-based toolbox that includes a pipeline dedicated to the generation of hexahedral FEM mesh. It is available as a Brainstorm plugin.
Brainstorm calls the function ft_volumesegment on the T1 MRI volume to obtain a tissue segmentation with 5 layers (white matter, gray matter, CSF, skull and skin), then ft_prepare_mesh_hexa to create a hexahedral mesh.
The mesh generation with the method is simple and fast: it downsamples the tissue classification volume, then converts all the voxels to a hexahedral mesh. The quality of the output is relatively poor: the regular meshing of the voxels makes it inefficient for providing a good representation of the tissues geometry with a limited number of elements.
Options
Downsample volume before meshing: When processing the tissue classification volume, reduce the number of voxels along each dimension by this factor.
Shift nodes to fit geometry: The option calls the adaptative mesh generation. The process moves the nodes located on the interface either inward or outward in order to fit the geometry as explained in the FieldTrip tutorial. Below, the example from the FieldTrip website, left=original, right=shifted.
Troubleshooting
SPM-related errors: If you've been trying multiple methods successively, errors mentioning a spm_*.m function could be due to incompatible versions of SPM12 functions in the Matlab path. Brain2mesh, FieldTrip and ROAST all run different versions of SPM12 from the same instance of Matlab. Solution: Restart Matlab to get a fresh workspace.
On the hard drive
Right-click on a FEM mesh > File > View file contents:
Structure of the FEM mesh files: tess_fem_*.mat
Comment: String displayed in the database explorer to represent the file.
Vertices: [Nvertices x 3], coordinates (x,y,z) of all the nodes of the tetrahedral or hexahedral mesh, in SCS coordinates.
Elements:
- Tetrahedral mesh: [Nelements x 4], list of indices corresponding to the rows of the Vertices matrix, each set of 4 connected vertices identifying a tetrahedron of the mesh.
- Hexahedral mesh: [Nelements x 8], list of indices corresponding to the rows of the Vertices matrix, each set of 8 connected vertices identifying a hexahedron of the mesh.
Tissue: [Nelements x 1], for each Element, index of the corresponding tissue (e.g. wm=1, gm=2, csf=3, skull=4, scalp=5)
TissueLabels: Labels of the tissues, e.g. {'white' 'gray' 'csf' 'skull' 'scalp'}
Tensors: [Nelements x 12] if tensors are computed, otherwise empty. The 12 values are the eigenvalues and eigenvectors interpolated on each element of the mesh.
History: List of operations performed on this file (menu File > View file history).