Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “The marriage of mathematics and neuroscience will change many things in humanity”
At the 3rd Neuroscience and Technology Congress, themed “Digital Therapeutics,” the latest developments at the intersection of neuroscience and technology were discussed. Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that one of the greatest benefits of artificial intelligence is "digital therapeutics" and said, “We are developing personalized digital games and software. Individuals are treating themselves using artificial intelligence.”
Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel: “DTx refers to evidence-based therapeutic interventions driven by software to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease.”
The 3rd Neuroscience and Technology Congress, organized by Üsküdar University this year with the main theme of “Digital Therapeutics,” was held at the İbn-i Sina Auditorium of the NP Health Campus of Üsküdar University. The congress, which focused on the latest developments where neuroscience and technology intersect, brought together leading experts in the field.
Artificial Intelligence Revolution...
President of Üsküdar University, Chairman of the NPİSTANBUL Board of Directors, and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, in his opening speech titled “Computability in Psychiatry Clinic,” discussed how mathematical modeling and the human brain, which are two seemingly unrelated fields, have come together and their impact on clinical practice. He emphasized that the Blue Brain Project, which started at CERN in 2005, was a significant milestone in this area.
Prof. Tarhan stated that “The Human Brain Project was seen as a precursor of a major revolution, and it truly did initiate one. That revolution is artificial intelligence.”
Mathematical modeling of the human brain
Prof. Tarhan shared the theoretical foundations of how the human brain can be mathematically modeled and simulated, and how this information can be useful in medicine, especially in diagnosing and treating diseases. He explained that the brain is a command center connected to all organs from the ear to the heart, and particularly mirror neurons are linked to the external world.
Referring to EEG (Electroencephalography) data, Prof. Tarhan noted that in clinical practice, it is now possible to determine which disease, function, and brain network are related to recorded brain signals, electrical distribution, and neuro-electrophysiological changes.
Programs can analyze which brain functions are impaired
Prof. Tarhan said, “Through databases created in clinical practice, we can analyze which brain networks and functions are impaired in a person using specific programs. By comparing a person's brain graph with these databases, we have started to derive results that allow us to establish causal links with diseases. This significantly paves the way for effective treatment.”
Highlighting that the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for studies on “Quantum Entanglement,” Prof. Tarhan said this marked the beginning of a new era in understanding the human brain and artificial intelligence. He emphasized that probabilistic physics explains the human brain, and developments such as fuzzy logic form the foundation of artificial intelligence.
Stating that quantum physics is probability-based and this approach plays a critical role in understanding the human brain, Prof. Tarhan added, “Being able to perform probability calculations has made it easier to decode the human brain. The calculation of probability became possible with the discovery of ‘fuzzy logic’ by an Azerbaijani scientist in the 1960s. With this development, we found an answer to the question: ‘What happens in our brain when we think?’”
How the foundation of artificial intelligence was formed
Recalling that in 2024, the Nobel Prize was awarded not to physicists but to geneticist Hatfield and cognitive psychologist Hinton for their fundamental discoveries and inventions that made artificial neural networks and machine learning possible, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “Hinton is referred to as the ‘father of artificial intelligence.’ The findings that combined genetic codes with the functioning of artificial neural networks laid the foundation of artificial intelligence.”
Prof. Tarhan said, “Artificial intelligence will produce things that will turn humanity upside down. There is a threat dimension, but also an opportunity. If we focus on the opportunities, it will make our lives easier.”
Emphasizing that one of the greatest benefits of artificial intelligence is “digital therapeutics,” Prof. Tarhan said: “We are developing personalized digital games and software. The individual uses artificial intelligence to self-treat and overcome their fears. In the coming years, applications such as memory enhancement and attention training through personalized digital therapeutics will become widespread. This will be a significant contribution of neuroscience to neuropsychiatry.”
The union of mathematics and neuroscience seems likely to change many things for humanity
Reminding that the fusion of mathematics and logic in the 1920s laid the groundwork for the invention of the computer, Prof. Tarhan said: “The marriage or union of mathematics and neuroscience seems likely to change many things for humanity.”
Drawing attention to the importance of mirror neurons, Prof. Tarhan also noted that the activity of chemicals in the brain related to happiness is closely linked to this field. In the future, he said, it may be possible to activate dopaminergic regions of the brain or stimulate the amygdala with RF (radio frequency) waves through personalized digital therapeutics.
Prof. Tarhan stated: “In new treatments, it will be possible to generate a specific wave function using radio frequency. This is a form of digital therapeutic. Special software will be written to activate the amygdala in the person's brain, and through this personalized treatment, issues related to substances like dopamine and serotonin can be targeted.”
Explaining that the human brain, like a computer, has both hardware (cells) and software, Prof. Tarhan said: “Digital therapeutics aim to change this software. Just as a computer has an operating system and system files, similar structures exist in the human brain. Over time, errors may develop in this 'software.' Digital therapeutics can correct these errors.”
There is serious research behind digital therapeutics
Speaking in the first session of the congress, Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, in his presentation titled “Deep Learning and Digital Therapeutics: Innovative Approaches to Psychiatric Disorders,” stated that although digital therapeutics is a new concept, there is significant research, developed applications, and scientific findings behind it.
Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel said: “DTx are evidence-based therapeutic interventions driven by software to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease. In other words, they are patient-facing software applications with proven clinical benefits that help patients treat, prevent, or manage a disease.”
Digital therapeutics can be VR-supported, mobile, or web-based
Stating that digital therapeutics can be VR-supported, mobile, or web-based, Prof. Ergüzel explained that these applications use digital tools such as mobile devices, sensors, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel said: “The main reason digital therapeutics has become such a prominent topic recently is due to the massive data production and the greatly increased resolution of this data. We are collecting high-resolution data. The data collection resolution of devices like MRIs and EEGs has increased. Processing this high-resolution data has brought us into the DTx generation,” and emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in this field.
We have entered a new generation with 'Deep Learning' algorithms!
Prof. Ergüzel said: “Machine learning used to be applied superficially. However, over the past 8–9 years, we have entered a new generation with artificial neural networks and deep learning algorithms. Whereas we once searched for statistically significant differences, we can now produce more accurate and personalized solutions through intelligent systems and neural networks.”
DTx is more commonly used in psychiatric patients!
Noting that digitization in psychiatry is a necessity and that the resolution of collected data has increased along with the rising number of patients, Prof. Ergüzel stated: “DTx is more commonly used in psychiatric patients. Next, we will see widespread use in oncology and addiction as well.”
Prof. Ergüzel highlighted that digital therapeutics are applied in areas such as stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, behavioral issues, addiction, chronic pain, and cognitive disorders, and said: “The applications I’ve listed account for only about 5% of the most widely used ones. There’s another 95% behind the scenes that’s not yet fully visible.”
The patient burden in psychiatry promotes the widespread use of DTx in this field
Referring to a study conducted in 2023, Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel stated that the outcomes of 317 clinical DTx applications were examined, adding: “The patient burden in psychiatry and the high resolution of collected data enable the widespread use of DTx in this field.”
Prof. Ergüzel also announced that Üsküdar University is conducting a significant DTx project supported by a TÜBİTAK-funded budget in collaboration with the private sector. He noted that the project aims to develop a solution that integrates hospital demands with expertise in artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
Emphasizing that the most critical issue for the future is integration with adaptive learning and emotional intelligence, Prof. Ergüzel stated that addressing the deficiencies in these areas would make digital therapeutics even more effective.
Digital therapeutics discussed at the congress
Later at the congress, NPİSTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Barış Metin gave a presentation titled "Digital Health Applications in Dementia Patients", NPİSTANBUL Hospital Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Onur Noyan presented "Digital Therapeutics in Addiction", NPİSTANBUL Hospital Psychiatry Specialist Asst. Prof. Elvan Çiftçi spoke on "Digital Therapeutics in Bipolar Disorder and Depression", and NPİSTANBUL Hospital Clinical Psychologist Özgenur Taşkın delivered a talk titled "Current Uses of Digital Therapeutics in Psychotherapy."
In the second session of the congress, Asst. Prof. Bernis Sütçübaşı presented "Exploring the Emotional World with Neuroimaging", Software Engineer Ümit Küpeli gave information about the "Voctor Health" project. Asst. Prof. Mehmet Kaan İldiz explained "Virtual Reality Applications in Neuropsychiatry", while Specialist Psychologist Shams Farhad discussed "NP Model: EEG Signal Processing - Independent Components". Specialist Engineer Sahar Taghizadeh Makouei delivered a presentation on "NP Model: Clinical Decision Support Systems."
Group photo was taken
Later in the congress, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented a certificate of appreciation to Hande Koşalay, Founding President of the Women in Neuroscience Association.
Afterwards, a group photo was taken.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)