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Jennifer Bires: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Neuroscience and Mental Health

Jennifer Bires/LinkedIn

Jul 8, 2025, 13:00

Jennifer Bires: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Neuroscience and Mental Health

Jennifer Bires, Executive Director of Life with Cancer and Patient Experience for the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, shared on LinkedIn:

“Check out our recent article: “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Neuroscience and Mental Health: A Perspective Review”.

It was a lot of fun to work with Kyle Bonesteel, Srini Pillay and Uma Naidoo.

For decades, psychiatry has relied on symptom-based diagnosis—essentially asking patients how they feel and matching responses to predetermined categories. While this approach has helped millions, it misses something crucial: the intricate biological reality of what’s actually happening in our brains.

We’re on the cusp of a major shift.

New research is showing how technology can help us understand mental health conditions at a deeper level by:

Looking at the whole picture: Combining genetic information, brain scans, and daily behavior patterns to understand each person’s unique situation
Tailored treatments: Moving away from trial-and-error prescribing toward treatments designed for individual biology
Finding meaningful patterns: Identifying biological markers that can actually predict what treatments will work

What this looks like in practice:

Diagnosis that goes beyond “rate your mood from 1-10”
Brain imaging that reveals what’s really happening neurologically
Genetic testing that helps predict which medications will work best
Wearable devices that track real-time mental health indicators
Digital tools that provide support exactly when you need it

We need to be thoughtful about privacy, access, and making sure these advances benefit everyone, not just those who can afford them.

Imagine mental health care that’s as precise as treating diabetes or heart disease. We’re getting closer to understanding the brain not just as a mysterious black box, but as an organ we can actually help heal.

What aspects of this shift do you think will make the biggest difference?”

You Can Find More Posts Featuring Jennifer Bires on OncoDaily.