At the Amrita Mind Brain Center, we explore the brain and mind organization and function using experimental methods, computational neuroscience, and cognitive modelling from an interdisciplinary perspective going through the effects of neurotransmitters, network dynamics, and behaviour, during normal and disease conditions. Our researchers jointly work with the School of Medicine, School of Engineering, School of Biotechnology, School of Ayurveda, and School of Spiritual and Cultural Studies, relating brain and mind on various topics.
The brain responds differently in each situation based on previous experiences. The mind is responsible for our thoughts, emotions, and decisions made by our brain. When the mind and brain pool together, it undergoes complex neuroplastic changes, including cellular, genetic, neurochemical, and electromagnetic changes. Higher-level processes related to conscious and unconscious states of mind are enclosed within lower-level processes associated with brain circuits. To understand how and why brain activities are connected to consciousness, it is necessary to map both the bottom-up and top-down functions of the brain and mind, as well as their mutual influence.
Our research focuses on understanding various aspects, from sub-cellular and neural changes to emergent activity in different brain areas. We also test hypotheses by modelling neural networks in various regions of the brain, both cellular and circuit connections, to understand the flow of signals transmission, and study the contribution of consciousness using EEG and fMRI studies. We also look into modelling various neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to identify exact mechanisms or how they implicate neurons at different brain regions involved in cognitive functioning.
Our center also focuses on developing advancements in brain-computer interface (BCI) techniques using EEG and other methods. Using neuroimaging techniques, we explore the brain under yoga, meditation, and the effect of music and generate data for direct brain-to-device control strategies that show promise towards applications in humanitarian challenges.
The Center has been developing virtual and online laboratories as part of a National Mission funded by India’s Ministry of Education and has been studying pedagogical impacts on online and classroom-based learners and educators. The center coordinates a Multi-Scale Brain Function India-Italy Network of Excellence and collaborates with the University of Milan, the University of Pavia and the University of Modena and Emiglia Romagna, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad. The center was the first Indian partner of the Human Brain Project and participated in the “BOLDSim” voucher call. The Center is also part of the WeNet-The Internet of Us H2020 project coordinated by the University of Trento in Italy.