The research team, led by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, represented our country in two separate sessions at the congress.
Üsküdar University researchers, who develop smart prediction models using AI-focused and deep learning algorithms on the Cloud, are leading the transformation in the field of neuroscience in Turkey with a strategy of shifting their work towards neuromorphic computers.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated: 'Thanks to these new applications, instead of giving every patient the same treatment, a treatment tailored to the patient's genetic structure can be provided, and which drug will be more effective can be determined in advance.'
Üsküdar University Participated in the 21st Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics Congress
The 21st annual congress of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT), featuring distinguished researchers in the field of neuroscience primarily from the USA, was held in Los Angeles, USA.
Established in 2013, the SBMT also spearheaded the G20+ World Brain Mapping and Therapeutic Initiative, renamed as Neuroscience20 (Brain, Spine & Mental Health). This initiative aims to create a global consortium integrating nanotechnology, imaging, cellular/stem cell therapeutics, information technology, and devices in brain mapping.
Üsküdar University Team Represented Our Country in Two Separate Sessions
Only researchers from Üsküdar University and NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi from Turkey participated in the 21st annual congress, which covers all neurological disorders from imaging to genomics and nano, and features distinguished researchers in the field of neuroscience, primarily from the USA.
The research team, led by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, represented our country in two separate sessions titled “Advances in Neuroimaging Techniques” and "Addiction Medicine."
Participated in Presentations Discussing Neuromorphic Computer Technologies
In presentations where next-generation neuromorphic computer technologies, which will be at the focus of neuroscience studies, were discussed, Üsküdar University's “edge computing” technology, designed to bring applications and computing capabilities closer to users or "objects" that need them, rather than cloud computing technology operating on the principle of high speed and performance, led the transformation.
Next-generation neuromorphic computers, based on synaptic neural networks instead of artificial neural networks, contribute to the edge computing transformation with much lower energy consumption and higher computational capacity than quantum computers.
What is the Goal of Neuromorphic Computers?
Neuromorphic computers aim to achieve three fundamental characteristics possessed by the human brain but not by conventional computers;
- Low power consumption: Power consumption close to that of the human brain,
- Fault tolerance: Neuron loss in neuromorphic chips has a negligible effect on system performance, indicating high fault tolerance
- No need for programming: They learn and change by themselves as they interact with information.
Leading the transformation in the field of neuroscience in Turkey
In this field, Üsküdar University researchers, who develop AI-focused and deep learning algorithms using Cloud, are leading the transformation in the field of neuroscience in Turkey with a strategy of shifting their work towards neuromorphic computers.
Presentations from Turkey Attracted Great Interest
Presentations by academics from Üsküdar University and NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi from Turkey attracted significant interest from researchers.
NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi contributed to innovative treatment processes by incorporating The Vielight Neuro™ product into its treatment protocol. This product, developed by Vielight and used in treatments for Alzheimer's, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson's, Autism, PTSD, and Long-COVID, improves mitochondrial health by absorbing light energy in the red to NIR wavelength range through a process called photobiomodulation (PBM). It works like cellular "batteries" providing energy to carry out mitochondrial, biochemical reactions, and other cellular processes, thereby enhancing cognitive ability and increasing cerebral blood flow.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan Shared Clinical Pharmacogenetic Applications in His Presentation
At the meeting attended by scientists from many parts of the world, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered a presentation titled "Use of Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers as Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics."
In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Tarhan highlighted current studies in neuroscience and shared information on drug blood level measurements and clinical pharmacogenetic applications conducted at the university.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized the importance of TDM (therapeutic drug monitoring, drug level measurement in blood) applications in selecting the appropriate dose for patients and preventing toxic drug levels. He shared pharmacogenetic profiling results under the heading of COMT enzyme activity, which determines dopamine levels in the brain, and serotonin transporter protein activity measurement studies.
Personalized Treatment Plans Are Created Based on Genetic Profiling Studies
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that as a result of these genetic profiling studies, personalized characteristics can be determined, and individualized treatment plans can be designed. He stated: "This method can be considered a successful example of newly developing personalized medicine applications worldwide. Thanks to these new applications, instead of giving every patient the same treatment, a treatment tailored to the patient's genetic structure can be provided, and which drug will be more effective can be determined in advance."
At the meeting, which was also followed by SBMT TV, Prof. Dr. Tarhan provided insights to the TV regarding the work of the Society for Brain Mapping, new applications in neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces, and smart prediction models within the context of the strong research network provided by SBMT.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan assessed the developments in neuroscience and Üsküdar University's contributions to the field in recent years, both locally and globally, within the scope of G20 and ME+ (Middle East Plus Initiative).
Methamphetamine Increases the Risk of Medical and Mental Illnesses…
NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz, a member of the research team, provided information on the prevalence of methamphetamine use and the increased risk of these patients developing Parkinson's, medical, and mental illnesses in the near and distant future, in her presentation titled "ECT Treatment in Methamphetamine Addiction Co-Morbid in Psychosis."
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz stated: "Even if 'meth' is not taken for an extended period, it continues to be present in the body and brain for weeks or months. From this perspective, it is predicted that a large majority of patients will also have another treatment-resistant mental illness. Approximately 55% of patients with only meth use disorder have benefited from Deep TMS treatment."
Prof. Dr. Dilbaz stated that in their own study, more than half of meth users were found to have schizophrenia or psychotic disorder, in particular. She reported that these patients, due to not benefiting from standard addiction and/or psychosis treatment, also benefited from Electroconvulsive therapy alongside long-acting antipsychotic treatment, and that not only their psychoses but also the duration and rates of their substance use initiation decreased.
Prof. Dr. Türker Ergüzel Shared the 'NP Model', a Diagnostic and Treatment Prediction Model for Psychiatric Diseases…
Prof. Dr. Türker Ergüzel, Head of the Software Engineering Department at Üsküdar University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, shared the use of the NP Model interface, developed with NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi as a scientific and application partner within Üsküdar University, and its deep learning (DL)-focused algorithm under the title "Explainable AI and its Applications to Neuroimaging Data" with researchers.
Prof. Dr. Ergüzel delivered his presentation on how to interpret and make sense of the high classification performance in the OCD (obsessive-compulsive personality disorder) model – whose symptoms resemble anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, or other mental health disorders – and the distinctive clinical features extracted with DL, all within the interface designed as a diagnostic and treatment prediction model for psychiatric diseases, capable of real-time data analysis.
Prof. Dr. Barış Metin Explained Brain Changes Observed in Individuals Using Substances
NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Barış Metin explained the brain changes observed in individuals using substances in his study titled "Structural and Functional Brain Alterations in Addiction."
In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Metin explained how illicit drugs alter and damage the brain, providing examples from studies, particularly those using MRI, which demonstrate the brain's structure and functional state. He also presented studies conducted within Üsküdar University showing shrinkage in many areas of the brain in individuals using substances.
Prof. Dr. C. Onur Noyan Addressed the Intersection of Addiction and Genetic Research, and Psychiatric Disorders
NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan also addressed the intersection of addiction and genetic research, and psychiatric disorders in his presentation titled "Clinical Implications of Addiction Genetics: the Synthetic Cannabinoid Example."
Prof. Dr. Noyan stated that recently, the intersection of addiction and genetic research has become an important paradigm for understanding and managing psychiatric disorders, and the role of genetic factors in the etiology of addiction contributes to a better understanding of individual predispositions and treatment responses. He emphasized that identifying genetic predispositions in addiction development and determining personal risk factors are critically important in developing customized treatment strategies. He highlighted that genetic analyses stand out as a fundamental tool in determining individuals' susceptibility to psychosis or major psychiatric disorders after substance use, in selecting specific pharmacotherapies, and in predicting the risk of relapse.
Prof. Dr. Noyan shared that these methods, a genetics-based approach, could increase the effectiveness of addiction treatment and allow for individualized treatment planning in disease management.
Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan Addressed Next-Generation Molecular Approaches to Understanding the Mechanism of Addiction
Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan, a faculty member in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Üsküdar University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (MDBF) and Director of the Transgenic Cell Technologies Application and Research Center (TRGENMER), also addressed next-generation molecular approaches to understanding the mechanism of addiction in his presentation titled “Next-Generation Molecular Approaches to Understand the Genetic Mechanism of Addiction.”
In his presentation, Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan drew attention to the molecular biology aspect of addiction, explaining the importance of epigenetic modifications and the expression of genes and mRNAs associated with reward and punishment centers in the brain.
The Message Science Mission Was Also Discussed
Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan shared the vision of future studies suggesting that addiction could be resolved with targeted and personalized molecular approaches using antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR, and epigenetic modification inducers developed in recent years. He concluded his presentation by discussing his research conducted within the scope of the Message Science Mission, carried out with the first Turkish Astronaut to go to space, investigating how genes related to brain functions such as neurodegeneration, depression, and major depressive disorder are affected by microgravity and space conditions.