Goldsmiths - University of London

Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharya BE (Engineering), PhD, FRSA

EEG; Music cognition; Problem solving; Emotion; Choice and decision making; Creativity; Multisensory interaction; Cognitive biases; Network; Chaos and Complexity theory

Teaching

I am involved in teaching the following courses:

Methods & Techniques in Neuroscience (MSc - CCN/ MMB)
Statistics (3rd Year UG, MSc - RMI/ CCN, MPhil, PhD)
Advanced Statistical Seminar (MSc - RMIP/ OP, MPhil, PhD)

Additionally I give one-off lectures to different courses in MSc-CCN/ MMB.

Research interests

The research activities of my group can be broadly divided into two mutually complementary parts:

I. Cognitive Neuroscience:
We are interested to understand a myriad of brain functioning, ranging from a very low level sensory processing to a very high level of complex cognitive processing. Some of our currently considered topics:
(i) Decision making
(ii) Music cognition (musical- emotion, syntax etc.)
(iii) Problem solving & Creativity (Eureka/Aha)
(iv) Implicit brain responses
(v) Cognitive biases in OCD
(vi) Multisensory interaction

I. Theory and Analysis of Large-scale Brain Signals:
We are also interested in developing and applying new analysis techniques for large scale neural data such as EEG, MEG. Some of our currently considered topics:
(i) Neuronal oscillations & synchrony
(ii) Chaos & Complexity

Selected publications

(# indicates Corresponding Author)

In 2010:

Lindsen JP, Jones R, Shimojo S, Bhattacharya J^# (2010)  Neural components underlying subjective preferential decision making. NeuroImage, in press.

Lindsen JP, Bhattacharya J^# (2010) Correction of Blink Artefacts Using Independent Component Analysis and Empirical Mode Decomposition. Psychophysiology, in press.

Pearce MT, Ruiz MH, Kapasi S, Wiggins G, Bhattacharya J^# (2010) Unsupervised statistical learning underpins computational, behavioural and neural manifestations of musical expectations. NeuroImage, in press. 

Timashev SF, Polyakov YS, Yulmetyev RM, Demin SA, Panischev OY, Shimojo S, Bhattacharya J (2010) Frequency and phase synchronization in neuromagentic cortical responses to flickering-colour stimuli. Laser Physics 20: 1-14.

Marin MM, Bhattacharya J^# (2010) Music induced emotions: Some current issues and crossmodal comparisons. In: Music Education, Editors: J. Hermida, M. Ferrero, Nova Science Publishers, pp. 1-38.

In 2009:

Bhattacharya J^#, Pereda E (2009) An index of signal mode complexity based on orthogonal transformation. J Computational Neuroscience, DOI:10.1007/s10827-009-0155-5.

Bhagat M, Bhushan C, Saha G, Watanabe K, Shimojo S, Bhattacharya J^# (2009) Investigating neuromagnetic brain responses against chromatic flickering stimuli by wavelet entropies. PLoS ONE 4(9): e7173 (11 pages).

Karkare S, Saha G, Bhattacharya J^# (2009) Investigating long-range correlation properties in EEG during complex cognitive tasks. Chaos Solitons & Fractals, 42: 2067-2073.

Logeswaran L, Bhattacharya J^# (2009) Crossmodal transfer of emotion by music. Neuroscience Letters 455: 129-133.
 
*Sheth BR, *Sandkühler S, *Bhattacharya J^# (2009) Posterior beta and anterior gamma predict cognitive insight. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 21: 1269-1279. (* All authors contributed equally)

Herrojo Ruiz M, Kolesch S, Bhattacharya J^# (2009) Early right alpha band phase desynchronization and late gamma band oscillations in processing musical syntax. Human Brain Mapping 30: 1207-1225.

Bhattacharya J^# (2009) Increase of universality in human brain during mental imagery from visual perception. PLoS ONE, 4(1): e4121 (11 pages).

Reiterer S, Pereda E, Bhattacharya J (2009) Measuring second language proficiency with EEG synchronization: how functional cortical networks and hemispheric involvement differ as a function of proficiency level in second language speakers. Second Language Research 25(1): 77-106.

Timashev SF, Polyakov YS, Demin SA, Panischev OY, Shimojo S, Bhattacharya J (2009) Analysis of biomedical signals by flicker-noise spectroscopy: Identification of photosensitive epilepsy using magnetoencephalograms. Laser Physics 19(4): 836-854.

Yulmetyev RM, Khusaenova EV, Yulmetyeva DG, Hänggi P, Shimojo S, Watanabe K, Bhattacharya J (2009) Dynamic effects and information quantifiers of statistical memory of MEG signals at photosensitive epilepsy. Mathematical Biosciences & Engineering 6(1): 189-206.

In 2008:

EV Khusaenova, Yulmetyeva DG,  Häanggi P, Shimojo S,  Watanabe K, Bhattacharya J (2008) Statistical memory of MEG signals at photosensitive epilepsy. International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 18: 2799-2805.

Wehling S, Bhattacharya J^# (2008) Deconstructing insight: EEG correlates of insightful problem solving. PLoS ONE 3(1): e1459 (12 pages).


In 2007:

Wehling S, Simion C, Shimojo S, Bhattacharya J^# (2007) Assessment of connectivity patterns from multivariate time series by partial directed coherence. Chaos & Complexity Letters 2: 413-433.

Mukherjee PK, Bhattacharya J (2007) A phenomenological theory of the nematic to lamellar phase transition in lyotropic liquid crystals. Journal of Chemical Physics 126: 024901-024901-6.

Yulmetyev RM, Häanggi P, Yulmetyeva DG, Shimojo S, Khusaenova EV, Watanabe K, Bhattacharya J (2007) Relaxation and phase space singularities in time series of human magnetoencephalograms as indicator of photosensitive epilepsy. Physica A 383: 443–454.

Schindler-Hlaváčková K, Paluš M, Vejmelka M, Bhattacharya J^# (2007) Causality detection based on information-theoretic approaches in time series analysis. Physics Reports 441: 1-46.

Yulmetyev RM, Yulmetyeva DG, Hangii P, Shimjo S, Bhattacharya J (2007) Strong memory in time series of human MEG can identify photosensitive epilepsy. Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Physics 104: 644-650.


Pre 2006:

Pereda E, Quiroga RQ, Bhattacharya J (2005) Nonlinear multivariate analysis of neurophysiological signals. Progress In Neurbiology 77: 1-37. (featured as cover article)

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H (2005) Phase synchrony analysis of EEG during music perception reveals changes in functional connectivity due to musical expertise. Signal Processing 85: 2161-2177.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H (2005) Drawing on mind’s canvas: Differences in cortical integration patterns between artists and non-artists. Human Brain Mapping 26: 1-14.

Bhattacharya J^#, Edwards J, Mamelak A, Schuman E (2005) Long-range temporal correlations in the spontaneous spiking of neurons in the hippoacampal-amygdala complex of humans. Neuroscience 131: 547-555.

Shams L, Iwaki S, Chawla A, Bhattacharya J (2005) Early modulation of visual cortex by sound: An MEG study. Neuroscience Letters 378: 76-81.

Bhattacharya J^#, Watanabe K, Shimojo S (2004) Nonlinear dynamics of evoked neuromagentic responses signifies potential defensive mechanisms against photosensitivity.  International Journal of Bifurcation & Chaos 14:  2701-2720.

Feldmann U, Bhattacharya J^# (2004) Predictability improvement as an asymmetrical measure of interdependence in bivariate time series. International Journal of Bifurcation & Chaos 14: 505-514.

Andrade PE, Bhattacharya J^# (2003) Brain tuned to music. Journal of Royal Society of Medicine London 96: 284-287.

Bhattacharya J^#, Pereda E, Petsche H (2003) Efficient detection of coupling between bivariate experimental signals in the state space. IEEE Transaction of Systems Man & Cybernetics – Part B 33: 85-95.

Bhattacharya J^#, Shams L, Shimojo S (2002) Sound-induced illusory flash perception: Role of gamma band responses. NeuroReport 13:1727-1730. 

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H (2002) Shadows of artistry - Cortical synchrony during perception and imagery of visual art. Cognitive Brain Research 13: 179-186.

Petsche H, Bhattacharya J (2002) Musical thought and intelligentsia. Osterr. Mus. Z. 57: 6-12.

Bhattacharya J^# (2001) Reduced degree of long-range phase synchrony in pathological human brain. Acta Neurobiol. Exp. 61(4): 309-318.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H (2001) Universality in the brain while listening to music. Proceedings of Royal Society Lond. Biological Sciences 268: 2423-2433.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H, Pereda E (2001) Interdependencies in the spontaneous EEG in the brain during listening to music. International Journal of Psychophysiology 42: 287-301.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H, Feldmann U, Rescher B (2001) EEG gamma-band phase synchronization between posterior and frontal cortex during mental rotation in humans. Neuroscience Letters 311 : 29-32.

Bhattacharya J^# (2001) Detection of weak chaos in infant respiration. IEEE Transaction of Systems Man & Cybernetics B 31: 637-642.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H, Pereda J (2001) Long-range synchrony in the gamma band: role in the music perception. Journal of Neuroscience 15: 6329-6337.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H. (2001) Enhanced phase synchrony in electroencephalograph gamma band in the musicians. Physical Review E 64: 012901.

Bhattacharya J^#, Pereda E, Kariyappa R, Kanjilal PP (2001) Application of nonlinear analysis to the intensity oscillations of the chromospheric bright points. Solar Physics 199: 267-290.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H  (2001) Musicians and the gamma-band – a secret affair? Neuroreport 12: 371-374.

Bhattacharya J^#, Kanjilal PP, Muralidhar V (2001)  Analysis and characterization of photo-plethysmographic signal. IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering 48 : 5-11.

Bhattacharya J^# (2000) Complexity analysis of spontaneous EEG. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis 60: 495-501.

Bhattacharya J^#, Kanjilal PP, Nizamie, SH (2000)  Decomposition of posterior alpha rhythm. IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering 47: 738-747.

Bhattacharya J^#, Petsche H, Pereda E (2000) Co-operation in the brain in higher cognitive functioning. Interjournal.

Bhattacharya J^#, Kanjilal PP, Nizamie SH (2000) In search of scaling in the brain. Interjournal.

Bhattacharya J^# et al. (2000) Revisiting the dynamics of chromospheric bright points. Interjournal.

Kanjilal PP, Bandopaddhyay S, Bhattacharya J (2000) Cardiovascular dynamics viewed through the periodicity attributes of the photo-plethysmographic signal. Interjournal.

Bhattacharya J^#, Kanjilal PP (2000) Revisiting the role of correlation coefficient to distinguish chaos from noise. Europhysical Journal B 13: 399-403.

Bhattacharya J^#, Kanjilal PP (1999) On the detection of determinism in a time series. Physica D 132: 100-110.

Bhattacharya J, Kanjilal PP (1999) Assessing determinism in photo plethysmographic signal. IEEE Transaction on Systems Man & Cybernetics Part A 29: 406-410.

Kanjilal PP, Bhattacharya J (1999) Revisited measles and chickenpox dynamics through orthogonal transformations. Journal of Theoretical Biology 197: 163-174.

Kanjilal PP, Bhattacharya J, Saha G (1999) Robust method for periodicity detection and characterization of irregular cyclical series in terms of embedded periodic components. Physical Review E 59: 4013-4025.

Kanjilal PP, Bhattacharya J, Muralidhar V, Kaul HL (1997) An instrument for noninvasive continuous measurement of blood   pressure using a finger cuff. J. Anaesthesiology & Clinical Pharmacology 13: 283-289.

Selected Reports in Media

On our research on Eureka/ Aha!

Wall Street Journal – “A wandering mind heads straight toward insight” 19-06-09
New Scientist – “Let your mind wander”  06-05-09
The Economist – “Incognito: Conscious and unconscious thought” 16-04-09
The New Yorker – “The Eureka Hunt” (28-08-08)
Times Online – “Can everyone be an Einstein?” (16-11-08)
ABC: Good Morning America – “Science behind mental blocks” (TV report)
BBC World Service (Radio Interview)
The Daily Telegraph – “Relax the brain for that Eureka! moment” (23-01-08) (see also the editorial note)
ABC News – “Memory block? Forget about it” (24-01-08)
NewsWeek – “Eureka! How the brain has Aha moments’ (22-01-08)
Cosmos Magazine – “Secret to problem solving: don’t think too hard” (06-02-08)
Science News – “Insight may lie at the end of a chain of neural reactions” (22-03-2008)
Scientific American – “What are we thinking when we (try to) solve problems?” (25-01-08)
Wissenschaft.de (Germany) “Anatomie des Aha-Erlebnisses „ (23-01-08)
ANSA News (Italy) - “Sei disttratto? Arriva lampo di genio” (01-02-08)
La Vanguardia (Spain) “Un estudio neurológico muestra cómo ayudar al cerebro a tener grandes ideas” (23-01-08)
Die Presse (Austria) – “Hirnforschung: Wie das Denken aus Sackgassen ausbricht„ (19-12-2005)
Handelsblatt (Germany) – “Die Anatomie der Gesitesblitze„ (March, 2008)
Le Monde (France) – “Quand l'encéphale prépare l'illumination du "Eurêka !" “ (09-05-09)

On our research on Music induced Emotion

Scientific American - "Why does music make use feel" 15-09-2009
Wall Street Journal - "The mystery of music" 17-10-2009
The Daily Telegraph – “Cheerful music can make everyone around you look happy” 08-05-09
The Daily Mail – “Upbeat music makes you think everyone is happy” 08-05-09
The LondonPaper – “Happy music like Girls Aloud rather than The Smiths puts everyone in a better mood” 08-05-09
Iran Daily – “Cheerful music makes everyone appear happy” 10-05-09
The Evening Times (Glasgow) – “Do you have a feelgood tune that cheers you up?” 11-05-2009
DeMorgen (Belgium)/ HLN (Belgium) – “Iedereen lijkt vrolijker dankzij vrolijke muziek” 10-05-09
DeTijd (Belgium) – “Luisteren naar vrolijke muziek doet ook anderen vrolijker lijken” 10-05-09
Cuget Liber (Romania) – “Simfoniile lui Beethoven îi înveselesc pe oameni, jazz-ul îi mâhneşte” 12-05-09
Live Radio Interviews on numerous radio stations including BBC-5 Live, BBC – Wales, BBC – Shieffield, BBC – Manchester, City Talk Radio – Liverpool, Radioi105 – Ireland.