Our fundamental research is conducted in the broad field of human neuro-psycho-physiology with the main focus on the brain and mind. Brain and mind research being a multidisciplinary and integral area is central in many biological and medical studies.

The main "instrument" that we use in our studies is quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). This choice is based on the facts that it is at the same time fast, non-invasive, painless, precise, and direct measure of brain functional activity. The intimate, dynamic structure of this activity is information-rich about the underlying cellular and intercellular processing, brain physiological, cognitive and mental functions and resources, brain states and conditions. EEG, from one hand, reflects functional brain state which comprises dynamical processes, and from another hand, EEG may causally modify the functional architecture of the cortex thus affecting brain and body activity.

qEEG is an exceptional tool for studying the neurocognitive processes underlying human behavior, cognition and consciousness because:

it has a very high temporal resolution that is compatible with dynamics of cognitive processes. It captures the physiological changes underlying the cognitive processes much better than other brain imaging techniques (such as fMRI or PET scanners);

it directly measures neural activity. Other neuroimaging techniques like for example fMRI only measure neural activity indirectly and lacking a deeper understanding of the relationship between what is measured and how it relates to cognitive processing;

it may indicate cognitive-affective processing even in absence of behavioral responses. While brain processes ultimately drive behavior, the mental processes involved in such operations or conditions as response inhibition, creativity or meditation, the behavioral effects might be very subtle. By contrast with other neuroimaging methods, these processes are ideal candidates for qEEG as they are accompanied by distinguishable electrical brain activation patterns;

it is the most heritable bio-signal. Genetic factors have a strong influence on qEEG variation and determine its high test-retest reliability;

it has high within-subject stability (internal consistency) within an EEG recording session, high reproducibility (test–retest reliability) over a period of hours, weeks, months and years, and high intra-subject specificity, meaning that qEEG can accurately identify subjects from a large group;

it distinguishes between excitatory and inhibitory neurons activation with the same metabolic demands. Other brain imaging techniques (such as fMRI or PET scanners) could not do it;

it distinguishes between different simultaneous temporal scales of information processing inherent for mental and cognitive processes. Other brain imaging techniques (such as fMRI or PET scanners) could not do it;

it is absolutely non-invasive and non-stressful procedure. Other techniques (such as fMRI or PET scanners) are minimally invasive or invasive and stressful;

it contains information that is a historical consequence of individual development (pre- and post-natal maturation), early life stress, and significant life events;

it possesses trait-like qualities (stability over time);

it reflects the brain’s structural characteristics (or ‘hardware’) and functional characteristics (or ‘software’).

More information could be found in the Review article.

Our main areas of focus and expertise are

• Brain Research (focusing on qEEG, MEG)
• Systemic NeuroPsychoPhysiology within the functional continuum from healthy to pathological conditions
• Consciousness research including neurophenomenology, neurophilosophy, and experiential selfhood
• Meditation studies
• Altered states of consciousness studies