Jury out on AI role in brain health: Can be helpful but overuse may be a worry

Time of India

a day ago

Kolkata: Can use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools help improve brain health and prevent depression and early onset of dementia? Or will over-reliance on AI be counterproductive and encourage lazy thinking? On World Brain Day, many neurologists said the prospect of AI helping us learn new things that keep neurons engaged and stimulate them can lead to better brain health.
But there were also others who expressed concern over where it would lead us. The theme for this year's World Brain Day was 'Brain Health for All Ages'.
"The brain is the only organ that defines who we are — our thoughts, memories, and choices," said CMRI Hospital neurologist Deep Das. "It can't be replaced, transplanted, or rebooted. While AI can mimic intelligence, it cannot replicate the human mind's empathy, imagination, or resilience.
While we need to opt for advanced technologies, let's not forget that brain health is not just for the elderly; it's important for all.
And AI's impact has not yet been fully assessed," added Das.
Others, however, argued that using AI or learning anything new can keep the neuro circuit active and prevent brain diseases. "The idea is to keep the brain working in a healthy, positive manner. Learning is a good way of doing that since it creates new connections between neurons, strengthens the existing ones, and effectively reorganises and optimises the brain's neural pathways.
So, AI is actually not a substitute for our brains but can be used to sharpen it and prevent neuro diseases," said Charnock Hospital neurologist Rohit Mishra.
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He added that brain strokes have become more frequent among younger people in last 15 years. "Stress and hypertension due to an unhealthy lifestyle are principal causes. While in the past, most stroke patients would be in their forties and older, now we often come across youngsters in their twenties getting strokes," said Mishra.
Any new learning stimulates neurons and keeps them active, said Hrishikesh Kumar, head of neurology at the Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata. "It could be AI, chess, sudoku, or even a physical game like tennis. AI has the potential to stimulate neurons, but we are yet to see its full impact as it's still emerging. Any new reception nourishes neurons and boosts the brain's electrical circuit," said Kumar.
To protect the brain, people across age groups should follow golden five rules, said Das.
"Eat mindfully, especially omega-rich and antioxidant foods, move daily for exercise boosts memory, sleep well since your brain resets during rest, learn something new to spark neuroplasticity, and connect socially," said Das.
Like new learning, interaction also increases neuron activity and keeps the brain healthy, said Mishra. "Cutting yourself off socially can turn the brain idle, reducing interaction between neurons and making it prone to diseases," said Mishra.
He added that rest was just as important, as it helps the brain remain sharp and retain memory. "Sleeping 7-8 hours has no alternative," he said.