SINGAPORE : Predicting brain activity has always been the stuff of sci-fi movies.

But now, thanks to a new software developed by some Nanyang Technological University (NTU) professors, this is all but a mouse-click away.

The human brain remains a mystery. And for the longest time, scientists have tried - with varying degrees of success - to measure electrical activity in the brain.

"Brain activity until today remains a mystery because we don't understand how the brain behaves in detail and no accurate mathematical models with brain activity exist. That's why I decided to employ my methods to try to analyse brain activity," said Associate Professor Vladimir Kulish, NTU.

The method involves measuring changes in EEG - a graphical record of electrical activity in the brain.

This novel technique is a breakthrough in forecasting things like epileptic seizures.

Understanding such brain activity even has its leisure applications.

"For example, what kind of music should be played in the canteen - after lunch, during the lunch, or after lunch before the classes, so as to put students’ brains into the right state for studying," said Associate Professor Kulish.

With such possible benefits on the horizon, the team is looking at beginning clinical trials with interested partners soon. - CNA /ls