Why These Neurons? Why This Patient? Why Now? Selective vulnerability in neurodegeneration has puzzled neurologists for decades. At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference of 2025, we describe some computational neuroscience network models that attempt to address these questions with a hypothesis called Thermodynamic-Informational Entropic Relationships (TIER). We turned to physics—specifically thermodynamic entropy—to understand why systems…

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare in unprecedented ways, including how we detect and diagnose neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Digital phenotyping—the use of data collected from everyday devices to identify patterns associated with health conditions—presents exciting possibilities for early detection and intervention. But as this technology advances, so do ethical concerns that demand our attention.…

Psychiatrists rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to make diagnoses of conditions like anxiety. This manual uses a symptom-based approach that creates remarkably diverse diagnostic categories. Consider how someone can meet criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). One person might experience primarily somatic symptoms (muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue)Another person might…

Have you ever wondered how your brain manages to react to split-second changes in your environment while simultaneously drawing on memories from decades ago? Or how you can recognize a specific dog while also understanding the concept of “dog” in general? These seemingly contradictory abilities highlight a fundamental challenge for our brains: balancing immediate flexibility…