Photothermal Impact of Terahertz Radiation for Brain Therapy: Applications in Neuromodulation and Hyperthermia

Recent advancements in brain therapy techniques, including neuromodulation, optogenetics, and brain-computer interfaces, have revolutionized the treatment landscape for neurological disorders. One emerging area of interest in neuroscience research is the exploration of terahertz radiation due to its unique properties and potential therapeutic applications. Terahertz radiation is capable of being absorbed by biological tissues, and its frequency range coincides with the vibrational levels and resonance of biological molecules and proteins. In this study, we investigate the photothermal effect of terahertz radiation on brain tissue using 2D computational models developed in COMSOL Multiphysics® Software. One model focuses on healthy brain tissue, while the other examines the targeted heating of tumor tissue with minimal impact on adjacent healthy brain tissue. Various terahertz frequencies, power levels, and exposure times are considered to establish application-based safety limits for this technology. Our findings pave the way for the safe utilization of terahertz radiation in neuromodulation techniques, where tissue heating is undesired, as well as in thermogenetics and brain hyperthermia therapies, where controlled heating is essential for therapeutic efficacy.