Aging and Brain Research

In the age of rapidly advancing technology, comparing the human brain to building blocks of a computer opens up an intriguing conversation. Both systems represent incredible feats of engineering—one through billions of years of evolution, the other through decades of technological innovation.  This image  that I came across on reddit  illustrates features of the brain vs a powerful graphics card like the NVIDIA RTX 4090. As of September 2024, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 remains one of the most powerful consumer GPUs available, especially for gaming and productivity tasks like rendering and AI workloads. It excels in 4K gaming and can handle even the most graphically demanding games, with exceptional performance in ray tracing and DLSS 3 technology, delivering up to 3-4x the performance of previous-generation GPUs like the RTX 3090 Ti. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is rumored to be  discontinued in October in preparation For Next-Gen RTX 5090 & 5090D GPUs, which c...

A recent paper published in Sensors ( May 2024 ) introduces a sophisticated wheelchair equipped with a brain-machine interface for intuitive control, and features such as stair climbing, posture adjustment, seat elevation, and user-friendly interaction. Ergonomics theory played a crucial role in determining the seat dimensions, ensuring comfort and usability. This intelligent wheelchair not only enhances mobility but also promotes independence and confidence among users.  Advanced AI tools are proving to be invaluable, offering adaptive support that enhances the effectiveness of caregivers and contributes to their well-being. This support ranges from monitoring patient health to providing decision support, thus reducing the burden on caregivers and improving care outcomes. A s ystematic review published in May 2024 emphasizes the importance of tailoring AI solutions to the specific needs of caregivers, whether they are assisting paralyzed patients or those with mental health issue...

The potential  impact of AI technologies on elderly healthcare is very promising . AI technologies have demonstrated great potential in satisfying the unmet care needs of older adults and are expected to further develop in this area. However, as we delve deeper into this technological revolution, it's crucial to address the biases and challenges that come with it. AI, a major driver of technological development in the 21st century, has unfortunately been associated with a new form of bias - "Digital Ageism". This bias is embedded into technology and AI systems, often excluding older adults from both the development and use of technology, leading to a “physical–digital divide”. This divide exists when a group feels ostracized because they are unable to engage with the technologies being used around them.  Stereotypes and misconceptions about older adults being a homogenous group in decline, incompetent, and in need of younger people’s guidance when it comes to technology, ...