Flight Simulator for the Brain Reveals How We Learn and Why Minds Go Off Course
3 days ago
- #neuroscience
- #artificial-intelligence
- #mental-health
- A new computer model called CogLinks helps simulate how brain circuits make decisions and adapt to changing rules.
- CogLinks integrates biological realism, mirroring real brain cell connections and how they assign value to ambiguous observations.
- The model revealed that weakening the connection between the prefrontal cortex and mediodorsal thalamus leads to slower, habit-driven learning.
- An fMRI study confirmed the thalamus acts as a switchboard between flexible and habitual learning systems.
- The research aims to advance 'algorithmic psychiatry' by linking brain circuit changes to mental health disorders.
- Future applications of CogLinks may help understand how genetic mutations affect cognitive flexibility in conditions like schizophrenia.