Additional Professor at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, India.
Dr. Shantala Hegde, an Additional Professor, is an accomplished researcher in the field of neuroscience and cognitive science, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease, music-based interventions, and neuropsychology. Her contributions include notable publications in esteemed journals such as Movement Disorders, and participation in international and national research projects. She has demonstrated expertise in applying machine learning approaches to differentiate neurodegenerative conditions, investigating auditory processing in essential tremor, and studying resting-state brain networks in Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, her work explores the neuropsychological impacts of music and cognitive retraining interventions.
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Education 🎓:
Dr. Shantala Hegde holds an advanced educational background rooted in neuroscience and psychology. She earned her doctoral degree in neuropsychology, focusing on cognitive and emotional processing. Dr. Hegde’s training combines expertise in clinical neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and music cognition. Throughout her academic journey, she pursued interdisciplinary education, blending neuroscience with art and technology to explore innovative therapeutic approaches. Her commitment to advancing education extends to her active participation in international conferences and workshops. She continually builds on her foundation, contributing to emerging fields like machine learning in neuropsychology. Her education emphasizes a blend of traditional psychological understanding and cutting-edge technological methods, establishing her as a leader in neuroscience research and education.
Work Experience 💼:
Dr. Shantala Hegde has over two decades of experience in neuroscience, focusing on neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and neuroimaging. As an Additional Professor, she has led numerous research initiatives exploring neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease, and interventions for cognitive dysfunction. Her expertise spans academia, clinical neuropsychology, and interdisciplinary research, enabling her to contribute significantly to her field. Dr. Hegde has served as a collaborator on prestigious international projects, such as Many Voices, and has secured national and international research grants. Her experience includes applying advanced methodologies, such as machine learning, to differentiate cognitive impairments and designing music-based therapeutic interventions. Dr. Hegde’s extensive teaching experience and mentorship have inspired many students and researchers in neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Shantala Hegde has received several accolades for her contributions to neuroscience and cognitive science. She has been recognized for her innovative research on music therapy and neuropsychological interventions. Dr. Hegde’s groundbreaking work on machine learning applications in Parkinson’s disease has garnered appreciation at international conferences, including Movement Disorders. She has been invited to deliver keynote presentations at renowned conferences and has received awards for her interdisciplinary contributions to music cognition and neuropsychology. Dr. Hegde’s participation in prestigious projects, such as Many Voices, reflects her recognition as a global collaborator in neuroscience research. Her dedication to advancing therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative disorders continues to earn her accolades and recognition from the academic and scientific communities.
Research Interests:
Dr. Shantala Hegde’s research focuses on understanding cognitive and emotional processing in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease. She leverages interdisciplinary approaches, combining machine learning, neuropsychology, and music cognition, to develop innovative diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Her studies include differentiating Parkinson’s disease dementia from mild cognitive impairment, analyzing auditory processing in essential tremor, and exploring resting-state brain networks in Parkinson’s disease with visual hallucinations. Additionally, Dr. Hegde investigates the therapeutic potential of music-based interventions to target stress and cognitive dysfunction. Her ongoing projects include collaborations on international research initiatives like Many Voices and studies on postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction. Dr. Hegde’s research aims to integrate technology and art into neuroscience, fostering new approaches to diagnosing and managing cognitive disorders.
📚 Publication
Music-based cognitive remediation therapy for patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: S. Hegde
Citations: 158
Year: 2014
Addition of home-based cognitive retraining to treatment as usual in first-episode schizophrenia patients: A randomized controlled study
Authors: S. Hegde, S.L. Rao, A. Raguram, B.N. Gangadhar
Citations: 79
Year: 2012
Neural plasticity: The substratum of music-based interventions in neurorehabilitation
Authors: D. Chatterjee, S. Hegde, M. Thaut
Citations: 71
Year: 2021
Interactions of visual hallucinations, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease: A review
Authors: A. Lenka, S. Hegde, K.R. Jhunjhunwala, P.K. Pal
Citations: 70
Year: 2016
Cognitive profile and structural findings in Wilson’s disease: A neuropsychological and MRI-based study
Authors: S. Hegde, S. Sinha, S.L. Rao, A.B. Taly, M.K. Vasudev
Citations: 58
Year: 2010
The Oxford handbook of music and the brain
Authors: D. Hodges, M. Thaut
Citations: 57
Year: 2019
Music therapy for mental disorder and mental health: The untapped potential of Indian classical music
Authors: S. Hegde
Citations: 54
Year: 2017
Hippocampal subfield atrophy in patients with Parkinson’s disease and psychosis
Authors: A. Lenka, M. Ingalhalikar, A. Shah, J. Saini, S.S. Arumugham, S. Hegde, et al.
Citations: 47
Year: 2018
Pattern of cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease and psychosis: A critical review
Authors: A. Lenka, S. Hegde, S.S. Arumugham, P.K. Pal
Citations: 43
Year: 2017
Cognitive deficits and its relation with psychopathology and global functioning in first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: S. Hegde, J. Thirthalli, S.L. Rao, A. Raguram, M. Philip, B.N. Gangadhar
Citations: 43
Year: 2013
Conclusion
Dr. Shantala Hegde is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award, owing to her impactful contributions to neuroscience, cognitive science, and interdisciplinary research. Her innovative applications of machine learning and music therapy, combined with a robust track record of publications and collaborative projects, position her as a leader in her field. By addressing areas for improvement, such as enhancing the visibility and impact of her work, she could further solidify her standing as an eminent researcher.