Publication

Abstract : Understanding neural correlates of music perception in humans has been a demanding task for exploring array of cognitive processes such as multimodal integration, learning, memory and social cognition. Studies on music listening and decoding of associated neural activity patterns outline structural and functional coupling of various brain regions in music perception and recall. Mapping temporal dynamics in cortical activation of brain regions with external auditory stimuli are still not well understood. Using non-invasive Electroencephalography (EEG) technique, this study focussed on comparing cortical activation patterns of a happy (Reethigowla raga) and a sad Indian music (Shivaranjini raga) on functional circuits of musicians and non-musicians, with a familiar speech and stress auditory stimuli as reference for analysis. In this preliminary study, 20 healthy volunteers grouped as musicians (N\thinspace=\thinspace10), having music training for more than 3 years, and non-musicians (N\thinspace=\thinspace10), having no prior music training, were recruited. Raw EEG data for different auditory stimuli were collected for 6 min in silent, dimly lighted room conditions and in an eye closed relaxed state. Through signal processing, results show varying patterns of gamma-alpha, alpha–beta-gamma and theta-gamma switching in response to happy music, sad music and other auditory stimuli specific among musicians and non-musicians. The activated regions may be correlated to differential processing of cognitive behaviours such as language processing, learning skills and memory retention. The study could be further extended for mapping structural variations among diverse populations for bringing new research insights into music processing by the human brain.