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Synaptic Pruning: Use It or Lose It (2D)

Interactive 2D Hebbian model of activity-dependent synaptic pruning: toggle which neural pathways get simulated use, watch a real Hebbian learning rule strengthen co-active synapses and weaken uncorrelated ones tick by tick, and see unused connections cross an elimination threshold and disappear.

Cognitive Science2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

A 2D companion to the 3D synaptic-pruning model, built around the same Hebbian "use it or lose it" rule but making the mechanism itself interactive: toggle the language, motor and visual pathways on or off to decide which parts of this simulated brain get real correlated activity, then run the developmental clock and watch a genuine per-tick Hebbian update — strength grows with co-activation, decays without it — carry synapses either to consolidation or across the elimination threshold and out of the network.

⚙ Under the hood

An interactive 3D model of childhood brain wiring: watch a neural network overproduce synapses in early development, then selectively prune the unused ones while stimulated pathways are protected and strengthened.

neurosciencebrain developmentsynaptic pruningHebbian plasticitycognitive science

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install