The 6th BaCI (Basic Clinical and Multimodal Imaging) Conference began hosted by Üsküdar Üniversitesi. Expert participants from countries such as Canada, America, Germany, China, Italy, and the Netherlands opened discussions on research and new developments concerning artificial intelligence working with the brain. The synthesis of neuroscience and computer science, along with studies on transferring data from computers to the brain and information from the brain to computers, formed the main agenda of the conference. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, who stated, "At the conference, we opened the brain, which is like a puzzle, a black box; we measured how it works and its signal flow," also mentioned that the annual BaCI meetings are held one year in the USA and one year in European Union countries. Tarhan stated, "This year, we are hosting the conference on behalf of Europe, as Üsküdar Üniversitesi in our country. It is a source of pride for Turkey to be a host and a pioneer in science during the 100th anniversary of our Republic."
The 6th Basic Clinical and Multimodal Imaging (BaCI) Conference, which began at Üsküdar Üniversitesi NP Health Campus, brought together expert participants from many countries.
The conference was organized in partnership with the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ECNS), International Society for Neuroimaging in Psychiatry (ISNIP), The International Society for Functional Source Imaging (ISFSI), International Society for Brain Electomagnetic Topography (ISBET), Üsküdar Üniversitesi Therapeutic Brain Mapping Association, and the Biological Psychiatry and Neurotechnology Association.
“Being a host in science on the 100th anniversary of our Republic is a source of pride”
At the conference, which addressed the synthesis of neuroscience and computer science, topics such as the collaborative work of artificial intelligence and the brain's network, the development of brain-computer interfaces, and the transfer of data from computers to the brain and information from the brain to computers were discussed.
Renowned figures such as Dr. Maheen Adamson, Prof. Dr. Pinhans Dannon, and Prof. Dr. Martijn Arns presented current developments and studies on the contribution of brain mapping to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases from various perspectives.
We opened the brain, which is like a puzzle, a black box…
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, commenting on the topics discussed at the conference, said, “BaCI meetings are held one year in the USA and one year in European Union countries. This year, we are hosting the conference on behalf of Europe, as Üsküdar Üniversitesi in our country. Being a host and a pioneer in science as Turkey on the 100th anniversary of our Republic is a source of pride. There are over 100 participants at the conference, more than half of whom are from Canada, America, Germany, China, Italy, and the Netherlands. All of them are specialists in their fields, with studies and publications. In this program, we opened the brain, which is like a puzzle, a black box. We measured how it works and its signal flow.”
We are very close to producing brain-computer interfaces
Providing detailed information on the topics discussed at the conference, Tarhan said, “Scientific data is being collected and published on which brain region's connectivity disorder with another region leads to which disease, later reaching a certain point to be commercialized, and devices are produced. For example, we are very close to producing brain-computer interfaces. There are examples not only in animal experiments but also on humans. Participants in the experiment are played bird, baby, and human sounds. The brain signals of those listening to these sounds are recorded. Afterward, only the signals are played back to the individuals. People can distinguish these signals as baby, bird, and human sounds with an 80 percent accuracy. This means the computer is communicating with brain signals.”
Tarhan stated that the congress is one where pharmacogenetics, neuroscience, and computer science are discussed together, adding, “Genetics is important here. In diagnosing diseases, there are microRNAs that recognize body tissues. Studies on recognizing diseases by measuring these, creating treatment plans, and producing targeted drugs will also be discussed here.”
Every organ has a representation in the brain!
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan pointed out that there is a significant accumulation of data in diseases such as Alzheimer's, alcoholism, schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder, and according to this data, target genes in the brain can be measured, and artificial intelligence can diagnose the disease based on the accumulated data.
Tarhan, stating, “Therefore, the new frontier of science is the brain,” drew attention to the brain being an unknown area. Adding that new treatments will emerge with new discoveries related to the brain, Tarhan continued: “Every organ has a representation in the brain. When the representation in the brain is disrupted, the organs malfunction. When the representation in the brain is corrected, the functioning of the organs also improves.”
Personalized drug adjustments can be made with pharmacogenetics
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who also gave a presentation within the context of neuropsychiatry and pharmacogenetic studies at the conference, spoke about pharmacogenetic identity. Tarhan stated that pharmacogenetic identities previously determined abroad can now be established in the laboratory set up within Üsküdar Üniversitesi, adding, “With pharmacogenetic identity, we determine more precisely which drug to give to the patient. This has two aspects: the first is pharmacogenetics, a method used to administer the correct drug to the correct person at the correct time to prevent drug sensitivity, poisoning, side effects, and avoiding overdose. The second aspect is pharmacodynamics. Here, we identify schizophrenia risk groups. We predict the genetic response regarding whether antidepressant medications will be effective for that person. If a genetic structure that responds late or minimally emerges, we administer the drugs in high doses or change the medication.”
Neuroquantology will enable the treatment of disrupted brain areas with radio frequency waves
Tarhan, speaking about studies in the neuroquantum field in his presentation, said, “In 2022, three physicists confirmed the hypothesis related to quantum entanglement and received the Nobel Prize. Previously, Einstein had developed the theory of time relativity. According to this theory; for example, you send one of two siblings into space, and one stays on Earth. After 30 years, the one living on Earth ages, while the one in space remains younger. This is called time relativity.”
Tarhan, also stating that beyond neuroquantology, there is matter relativity outside of time, concluded his words as follows: “We will now be able to easily pass through the back of walls; such a situation has emerged. There is no longer such a thing as matter distance. Because it has been understood that everything is energy. Since it is energy, there is no such thing as matter. What you call matter is just a form of energy. If you can pass through that form, you will easily be able to see behind matter, pass behind it. The evidence for this has been found. It is believed that future discoveries will also involve matter moving at the speed of light. Work is continuing to commercialize this. We will now also use neuroquantology in treatment. It will give us the chance to treat disrupted areas in the brain not with drugs, but with radio frequency waves. The main goal is to treat the disrupted area in the brain, not to affect the entire brain by giving medication.”
Prof. Monte Buchsbaum also received an honorary doctorate
Within the scope of the program, an honorary doctorate was presented to Professor Monte Buchsbaum, Professor of Radiology and Psychiatry at the University of California, who is considered a pioneer of neuroimaging technologies.