Brain Function Insights

Your brain on AI: One of the first studies measuring what ChatGPT use does to our brain MIT researchers tracked 54 people writing essays using ChatGPT, web search, or just their brains—while monitoring neural activity with EEG. The findings are striking: 🧠 Brain connectivity weakened with more AI support. ChatGPT users showed the least neural engagement. 🔍 Memory collapsed. 83% of ChatGPT users couldn't quote their own essays minutes later, vs. near-perfect recall without AI. ⚡ "Cognitive debt" accumulated. When ChatGPT users later wrote without AI, their brains showed weakened connectivity compared to those who practiced unassisted writing. 🎨 Creativity declined. AI-assisted essays were statistically more uniform and less original. The twist: Strategic timing matters. Using AI after initial self-driven effort preserved better cognitive engagement than consistent AI use from the start. This isn't anti-AI—it's about understanding the trade-offs. While AI-generated essays scored well initially, participants showed signs of cognitive atrophy: diminished critical thinking, reduced memory encoding, and less ownership of their work. The takeaway: We need to enhance, not replace, human thinking as we integrate these powerful tools. Full study here: https://lnkd.in/e-6urMD8 Note: This is a pre-print study awaiting peer review.

We and others have shown that #psychedelics can spark the growth of new synapses in the brain. But there are some deeper questions: where do those new connections actually go? Which specific neural pathways are modified? A new study from the lab is now online at Cell by Cell Press - In this latest work, rather than imaging one synapse at a time, we turned to a more powerful tool for circuit tracing: an engineered rabies virus 🦠, which naturally hops across synaptically connected neurons in the brain. Think of it like the Google Street View self-driving cars, but for neural circuits – roaming widely to show the connected cells in the entire brain.   In the experiment, mice received either #psilocybin or saline control, followed by rabies viral tracing and whole-brain imaging of fluorescently tagged neurons. The psychedelic-induced pattern of rewiring was far from random and revealed several insights:   1) Psilocybin weakens recurrent connections in the cortex, feedback loops that may contribute to the rumination of negative thoughts. 🔄   2) The drug strengthens pathways that carry sensory signals to deeper, action-driving brain regions, tightening the link between perception and behavior. 🎯   3) The circuit reorganization was influenced by neural activity. In a proof-of-concept experiment, we show that manipulating the firing activity can alter psilocybin’s rewiring patterns, demonstrate that it may be possible to sculpt the psychedelic-evoked structural neural plasticity. 💥🧠   We hope the results will change how we think about the therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics. It is not just more synapses; it is about which circuits are remodeled. Moreover, we have some control over the drug-evoked plasticity when we pair it with neural activity modulation, providing a reason for trying to integrate psychedelics with something like rTMS.   This was a team effort spearheaded by Quan Jiang. With help from collaborators at Allen Institute, UC Irvine, and CUHK. The research was supported by One Mind and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).   Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/eSDMdg5Q

Collaborative innovation combining AI with neuropsychology is proving to be transformative. Six research clusters show specific value and potential: 🌱 Neuroscience and Mental Health: Understanding mental health through neuroimaging and machine learning enables earlier, more precise interventions for conditions like ADHD and depression. By examining correlations in brain function, this research helps identify key markers for cognitive impairments, aiding in early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. 🔍 Computational Modeling: Computational models simulate decision-making and cognitive markers, which are crucial for neurological conditions like epilepsy. Machine learning applied to seizure detection, for instance, offers a potential breakthrough in predicting and managing epilepsy, helping patients gain better control and care. 🧠 Cognitive Neuroscience: Studies of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, benefit from reinforcement learning models that reveal patterns in brain degeneration. These insights are essential for developing strategies to slow disease progression, offering hope for more effective interventions. 💡 Cognitive Neurology and Neuropsychology: Examining cognitive functions through neuroimaging and machine learning provides deeper insights into disorders like aphasia and neurocognitive deficits. By mapping brain functions and assessing structural changes, these studies advance our understanding of how specific neurological impairments affect behavior and cognition. 💗 Neuropsychological Features: Machine learning models predict mental health outcomes and cognitive declines by analyzing attention and processing speed. This focus on prediction and prevention, especially for conditions like cardiovascular disease impacting cognition, enables proactive care and lifestyle adjustments to mitigate risks. ⚙️ Neurodegenerative Conditions: AI-based predictive models for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s allow for early, more accurate diagnoses. By analyzing markers in social cognition and emotional processing, this cluster supports personalized interventions, helping to maintain patient quality of life and reduce care burdens. This is only the beginning. This field is absolutely ripe for rapid advance and massive real-world value.

Jonathan Boymal: "In a new paper, British philosopher Andy Clark (author of the 2003 book Natural Born Cyborgs, see comment below) offers a rebuttal to the pervasive anxiety surrounding new technologies, particularly generative AI, by reframing the nature of human cognition. He begins by acknowledging familiar concerns: that GPS erodes our spatial memory, search engines inflate our sense of knowledge, and tools like ChatGPT might diminish creativity or encourage intellectual laziness. These fears, Clark observes, mirror ancient worries, like Plato’s warning that writing would weaken memory, and stem from a deeply ingrained but flawed assumption: the idea that the mind is confined to the biological brain. Clark challenges this perspective with his extended mind thesis, arguing that humans have always been cognitive hybrids, seamlessly integrating external tools into our thinking processes. From the gestures we use to offload mental effort to the scribbled notes that help us untangle complex problems, our cognition has never been limited to what happens inside our skulls. This perspective transforms the debate about AI from a zero-sum game, where technology is seen as replacing human abilities, into a discussion about how we distribute cognitive labour across a network of biological and technological resources. Recent advances in neuroscience lend weight to this view. Theories like predictive processing suggest that the brain is fundamentally geared toward minimising uncertainty by engaging with the world around it. Whether probing a river’s depth with a stick or querying ChatGPT to clarify an idea, the brain doesn’t distinguish between internal and external problem-solving—it simply seeks the most efficient path to resolution. This fluid interplay between mind and tool has shaped human history, from the invention of stone tools to the design of modern cities, each innovation redistributing cognitive tasks and expanding what we can achieve. Generative AI, in Clark’s view, is the latest chapter in this story. While critics warn that it might stifle originality or turn us into passive curators of machine-generated content, evidence suggests a more nuanced reality. The key, Clark argues, lies in how we integrate these technologies into our cognitive ecosystems."

What if you could fly through someone’s brain — and actually watch it think in real time? 🧠 This stunning 3D visualization makes that possible. It shows live brain activity mapped from EEG (electroencephalography) signals onto a realistic 3D model of the human brain. Each color represents a different brainwave frequency — from calm alpha and focused beta, to fast, high-energy gamma rhythms. The golden lines trace the brain’s white matter pathways, and the moving light pulses represent information flowing between regions — the brain communicating with itself in real time. How it’s built The process begins with MRI scans to create a high-resolution 3D model of the brain, skull, and scalp. Then, DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) maps the brain’s wiring — the white matter tracts that connect its regions. Next comes EEG recording, captured using a 64-channel mobile EEG cap. Advanced software pipelines like BCILAB and SIFT clean the data, remove noise, and use mathematical modeling to “source-localize” brain activity — estimating where in the brain each signal originates. They also analyze information flow using a technique called Granger causality, revealing which brain regions are influencing others at any given moment. From Data to Experience All of this is brought to life in Unity, a 3D engine usually used for games. Here, the brain becomes a fully navigable world — you can literally fly through it using a controller and watch live signals flicker and flow. It’s data turned into experience — a fusion of neuroscience, art, and technology that lets us see the living mind at work. Why it matters By merging EEG, MRI, and DTI, researchers can study how the brain’s networks communicate, and how this connectivity changes in conditions like epilepsy, depression, or neurodegenerative diseases. This work also pushes forward brain-computer interface research — paving the way for future technologies that help restore movement, communication, or sensation through brain signals alone. Every flicker of light here represents a thought, a signal, a decision — the brain in motion. 🎥 Video Credits: Dr. Gary Hatlen

I'm a doctor, and I take creatine everyday. Not just for gym gains, but also for what it does for my brain. First, yes - it’s completely safe for most people. And research has proved it’s more than a ‘gym bro’ supplement — it even sharpens your cognitive ability. How? Creatine fuels your brain by primarily by increasing phosphocreatine levels, which ensures a steady energy supply when you’re thinking hard or under stress. And studies back this up: → In one trial, vegetarians taking creatine performed 50% better on memory tests compared to those who didn’t supplement. → Another study showed improved reasoning skills, with participants completing complex tasks 10% faster. → Creatine has been shown to reduce mental fatigue significantly, during long periods of work. So creatine may work wonders if: - You’re following a vegetarian diet (plants lack creatine naturally). - You deal with sleep deprivation or high-stress workloads on the regular. - You’re looking to improve memory or focus during intense study or work sessions. How should you consume it? For most adults, one serving of 3-5 grams daily is perfect. Stick to the basic Creatine Monohydrate - the fancier ones don’t provide any real benefits. Creatine is one of the most researched health supplements, and thousands of studies have proved it’s safe (unless you have pre-existing kidney problems). It won’t give you overnight results, but it can give you that extra brainpower boost, especially when your mental energy runs low. So if you’re healthy and curious, start with 3 grams daily from a reputable brand and see how you feel. If you’re still unsure, feel free to consult your doctor first. Would you try creatine for its cognitive benefits? Note: This post was NOT SPONSORED. #healthandwellness #creatine #brainhealth

A 65 year old just became the first person to control an iPad using brain signals alone. Mark Jackson was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 2021. Over time, he developed complete paralysis in both arms and weakness in his neck. No way to swipe a phone. No way to send a text. No way to do things for himself without asking someone else. Until a brain-computer interface by Synchron changed that. Here's how it works: ▶ 1. Device sits inside a brain vein ↳ A small sensor is implanted into one of the veins within Mark's brain through a minimally invasive procedure - not brain surgery. ↳ It reads brain signals from the motor cortex and translates them into digital actions on screen. ↳ Mark now watches Netflix, listens to audiobooks, browses Instagram and Facebook, and texts his kids. All by thinking about the action he wants to take. ▶ 2. Two-way communication creates real-time feedback ↳ Synchron just launched a new version using something called a BCI HID profile - Human Interface Device. ↳ The computer detects the strength and fidelity of Mark's brain signal in real time and presents feedback about where he's looking, what he's thinking about clicking, where he wants to move. For someone who can't move their arms, losing the ability to do things independently is one of the hardest parts of the disease. This technology gives that back. However, the tech is still early. Synchron has completed early feasibility trials and is preparing for pivotal trials before seeking FDA approval - a process that will take several years. But would you trust a brain implant if it gave you back your independence? #entrepreneurship #healthtech #innovation

3D BRAIN MODELS UNLOCK NEW INSIGHTS INTO MEMORY & CONNECTIVITY Researchers have developed the most detailed 3D computational models of key brain regions, including the hippocampus and sensory cortices, to better understand their roles in memory formation and connectivity. These models integrate anatomical and physiological data, capturing synaptic plasticity and long-range interactions. By simulating brain activity, the models enable predictions about cortical processing and provide tools for future experimental validation. They are openly accessible to the scientific community for further research and refinement. Insights from the models reveal how connectivity shapes complex brain networks and how learning occurs through synaptic plasticity in realistic conditions. This work paves the way for studying phenomena ranging from neural coding to the impacts of specific neurotransmitters. Key Facts: 1. Researchers created 3D models integrating data on anatomy, connectivity, and physiology of the hippocampus and sensory cortices. 2. The models reveal how connectivity patterns form structured brain networks and enable learning through synaptic plasticity. 3. Accessible on a public platform, the models support global research and experimental validation. Source: https://lnkd.in/gfsKe94d

Sunday Mornings & Neurodivergent anxiety doesn’t respond to “just calm down.” It responds to regulation, validation — and the right tools. Sunday mornings can be unexpectedly hard for neurodivergent nervous systems. The structure of the week drops away. The brain finally pauses… and anxiety often steps in. • For ADHD, autistic, dyslexic and dyspraxic adults, anxiety isn’t a mindset issue. • It’s a nervous-system regulation issue. • From a neuroscience perspective:  – the salience network stays on high alert  – the amygdala flags uncertainty as threat  – transitions (even busy → rest) can increase anxiety rather than ease it • This is where DBT skills and AI tools can work beautifully together. • DBT supports the body first:  – grounding before reasoning  – slowing emotional flooding  – creating safety before problem-solving • AI can support regulation by:  – externalising racing thoughts  – holding information when working memory drops  – gently prompting DBT skills when the brain goes blank • Tools I often see helping neurodivergent adults include:  – ChatGPT → brain-dumping, reframing anxious loops, prompting TIPP or Wise Mind  – Pi → calm, compassionate reflection when anxiety feels high  – NotebookLM / Copilot → organising thoughts and reducing cognitive overload Used well, AI isn’t about replacing human connection. • It’s about reducing cognitive load when the nervous system is already overwhelmed. • And DBT reminds us: • You don’t regulate by “thinking better.” • You regulate by supporting the brain and body together. • If your anxiety feels louder at weekends, you’re not failing. • Your nervous system may simply be asking for containment, not criticism. • Gentle invitation: • If this resonates and you’d like support applying these tools in real life — • I offer neurodiversity-affirming, DBT-informed coaching for adults. • You’re very welcome to:  – DM me here  – email me  – or message me on WhatsApp • No pressure — just a conversation to see what support might help you best. #Neurodiversity #ADHD #AutisticAdults #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia #DBTSkills #NeurodivergentAnxiety #AIForWellbeing #NervousSystem #TraumaInformed #InclusiveWellbeing