Synaptic Plasticity

The appropriate level of AI support may need to vary by stage of medical training. AI could impair medical skill formation by reducing deliberate practice, weakening productive failure, altering cognitive load, increasing automation bias, and impairing metacognition. Learning was demonstrated to physically change how neurons communicate. When AI provides answers or reasoning paths too early, learners may spend less time in effortful practice needed for expertise. AI assistance may remove desirable difficulties by reducing uncertainty, retrieval effort, or independent problem-solving. Habituation weakens reflexes by weakening synaptic connections between sensory and motor neurons. AI support can help novices by reducing excessive load but can also reduce the germane cognitive load needed for schema construction. Immediate AI solutions may reduce productive failure as a route for developing robust reasoning skills. Sensitization strengthens reflexes by strengthening synaptic connections. Long-lasting memories require mechanisms that maintain synaptic strength over time. Kandel chose Aplysia because its large nerve cells and small number of neurons made circuits easier to map.