Neurology, Addiction and Psychiatry Conference

Neurodynamics is the science that deals with the sophisticated relations and activities of neural networks in the brain and the effects of such dynamics on cognitive functions, behaviors, and adaptability of the brain. Of course, it would not meet the standards applied in traditional neuroscience, which, more or less, sees brain functions through static photos. Neurodynamics pays attention to real-time flow of electrical and chemical signals through the brain and tries to understand how the brain functions as a dynamic system.

On its own, the human brain contains billions of neurons that coordinate in patterns of detailed neural circuits. These communications occur as neural oscillations, or rhythmic electrical activity that most people colloquially refer to as brain waves. Alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and theta waves are all features of distinct stages of consciousness-consciousness of what one's attention is alert to, sleep, relaxation-and much between. Neurodynamics is a study of the generation, maintenance, and synchronization of these oscillations across various areas of the brain in support of cognitive processes like memory, attention, and problem-solving.

One of the most important concepts in neurodynamics is neural synchronization: ""a multitude of neurons firing almost in an orchestrated way to produce stable patterns of activity underlying thought processes and behaviours."" Neural synchronization is critical for multisensory integration-in integrating inputs from multiple sensory systems, including sensory input into a coherent perception of the environment. Disturbances in these dynamic patterns can lead to neurological disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism.

Such neurodynamics studies also enable research into how the brain behaves under changes in the environment or experiences. It is termed neural plasticity, referring to how connections within the brain can be reorganized by the brain as a result of learning, injury, and other inputs to the senses. This is an important part of neurodynamics that may help explain the nature by which an individual recovers from brain injuries or improves upon brain function by training.

With breakthroughs in computational modeling and neuroimaging technologies, such as fMRI and EEG, scientists have been able to map and analyze these dynamic brain networks at previously unprecedented levels of resolution. This has led to breakthroughs in understanding the connectivity and interaction of networks at the level of processing information, hence more effectively treating neurological disorders that arise from the disorganization of these dynamic systems.

More basically, neurodynamics gives an overall impression of the brain as being fluid, adjustable, and always changing in response to both internal and external stimuli. Understanding the dynamic nature of neural networks has pivotal appeal in the development of therapies that tap the brain's natural potential for plastic change in order to modify cognition and treat brain disorders.