Discover how the convergence of neuroscience, data science, and artificial intelligence is transforming our understanding of the brain and creating new possibilities for human health.
Imagine a future where we can predict your risk of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's or depression years before symptoms appear, using nothing more than routine health data collected during a regular doctor's visit.
Neurons in the human brain creating an immensely complex biological system
Symbiotic relationship where neuroscience informs AI and AI helps decode brain function 3
"Brains and artificial intelligence (AI) are converging through a two-way exchange: network neuroscience informs new learning paradigms, while AI models increasingly help decode and generate brain connectivity" 3
At its core, brain informatics is an emerging interdisciplinary field that combines cognitive science, neuroscience, machine learning, data science, and information technology to explore the fundamental problems of how the brain processes information and how we can apply this knowledge to improve human health and create more intelligent machines 3 .
Brain dynamics, learning mechanisms, neural basis of decision-making 1
Bayesian brain models, sensory-motor control, social brain communication 1
Neuroimaging analysis, brain mapping, machine learning for brain data 1
Risk evaluation, computational psychiatry, remote assessment 1
One of the most exciting developments in brain informatics demonstrates how simple data collected during routine medical visits can yield powerful insights into future brain health.
In a landmark study published in 2023, researchers developed a series of brain health scores that quantify the risk of developing neurological conditions using only electronic health record (EHR) data 5 .
Researchers analyzed data from 17,040 adults who had visited outpatient neurology clinics between 2010 and 2021 5 .
Key predictive variables included age, employment status, medical conditions, and health behaviors.
Using machine learning techniques, the team created separate predictive models for each neurological outcome.
Models were transformed into simple risk scores easily calculated by healthcare providers.
The findings from this extensive study were striking. The brain health scores derived from routine EHR data showed significant association with future neurological outcomes 5 .
"A simple risk score derived from routinely collected data, easily acquired in a patient encounter, is associated with risk of neurological outcomes and death. This approach automatically uses EHR data, which makes it suitable for large-scale population screening" 5 .
The remarkable progress in brain informatics is powered by an increasingly sophisticated collection of technologies and methods.
"Graph-based learning provides a shared formalism for this convergence, capturing both neural and computational architectures within a unified framework" 3 .
"while AI-based approaches are now widely recognised and used to analyse and interpret EEG signals, unfortunately, they lead to models that often lack transparency and interpretability, thus limiting scientific discovery" 3 .
The implications of brain informatics extend far beyond research laboratories, promising to transform how we maintain brain health, diagnose and treat neurological disorders, and even how we conceptualize the relationship between humans and machines.
Frameworks like the KAER (Kickstart, Assess, Evaluate, Refer) Toolkit are already helping primary care teams implement comprehensive, person-centered approaches to brain health .
Innovative approaches like Brain Health Diplomacy (BHD) are emerging to address disparities in brain care across different regions and populations 6 .
Large-scale initiatives continue to advance with focus on "dynamic pictures of the brain that show how individual brain cells and complex neural circuits interact at the speed of thought" 2 .
Dementia prevalence in Latin America and Caribbean countries is projected to increase by approximately 220% by 2050—a much steeper rise than projected for Europe or North America 6 .
The field of brain and health informatics represents one of the most exciting frontiers in modern science. By combining insights from neuroscience, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence, researchers are developing powerful new ways to understand, protect, and enhance our most precious asset—the human brain.
From simple risk scores derived from electronic health records to sophisticated brain-computer interfaces, these advances promise to revolutionize how we approach brain health across the entire lifespan. They offer hope for earlier detection of neurological disorders, more personalized interventions, and ultimately a future where we can all take proactive steps to maintain our cognitive abilities and quality of life.
As this field continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the integration of brain science with information technology will fundamentally transform our relationship with our own minds, opening new possibilities for human health, performance, and understanding that we are only beginning to imagine.