Research
Research and foundations
Lernix is grounded in cognitive science, the neuroscience of learning and AI research. Our approach draws on the latest findings on how people really learn.
Research showing that frequent use of ChatGPT reduces brain activity, weakens neural connectivity and builds up a “cognitive debt”, even after students stop using AI tools.
Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task
arXiv preprint, 2025
EEG study with 54 participants showing LLM-assisted writing reduces brain activity and creates cumulative cognitive debt across sessions.
Read article ↗Your Brain on ChatGPT — Project Website
Brain on LLM Research Project
Interactive project website with detailed findings, visualizations, and supplementary materials.
Read article ↗Your Brain on ChatGPT — MIT Media Lab
MIT Media Lab Publications
Official MIT Media Lab publication page for the study on neural and behavioral consequences of LLM-assisted essay writing.
Read article ↗Retrieval practice strengthens hippocampal processing, makes it easier to update memories through neural reconsolidation and produces a forward testing effect that improves later learning. In addition, writing by hand boosts neural activation compared with typing.
Retrieval Practice Enhances New Learning: The Forward Effect of Testing
Pastötter & Bäuml, Frontiers in Psychology, 2014
Demonstrates how recall testing before learning new material enhances subsequent encoding — the forward effect of testing.
Read article ↗Retrieval Practice Strengthens Hippocampal Processing
PMC, 2021
Shows that repeated retrieval supports long-term retention by inducing stronger episodic memory processing in both anterior and posterior hippocampus.
Read article ↗Retrieval Practice Facilitates Memory Updating — Neural Mechanisms
PMC, 2020
Reveals the neural reconsolidation mechanisms through which retrieval practice facilitates memory updating.
Read article ↗Investigating the Testing Effect — Retrieval as a Study Strategy
ScienceDirect, 2017
Examines how retrieval practice as a study strategy produces robust benefits for long-term retention.
Read article ↗Retrieval Practice Effects on Retention and Transfer of Complex Concepts
ScienceDirect, 2025
Confirms large effect sizes for retention and transfer of complex concepts through retrieval practice.
Read article ↗Forward Testing Effect — Does Not Affect Arithmetic Tasks
Journal of Cognition
Explores the boundary conditions of the forward testing effect, finding it does not extend to arithmetic tasks.
Read article ↗Retrieval Practice Overview
UCSD Psychology Department
Comprehensive overview of retrieval practice research and its applications for effective studying.
Read article ↗Handwriting vs. Typing: Impact on Learning and Brain Connectivity
Van der Weel & Van der Meer, Frontiers in Psychology, 2024
Research showing 58% better performance and enhanced neural activation when students handwrite vs. type.
Read article ↗Socratic questioning fosters critical thinking across disciplines, from healthcare education to chemistry teaching. AI-powered Socratic chatbots show promising results for improving reasoning.
Socratic Questioning for Critical Thinking in Healthcare
PMC, 2023
Demonstrates the effectiveness of Socratic questioning in developing critical thinking skills in healthcare education.
Read article ↗Socratic Method in Chemistry Education
RSC Publishing, 2026
Large effect size (η²=0.83) for the Socratic method in chemistry education, demonstrating significant learning gains.
Read article ↗Socratic Questioning in Asynchronous Discussion Forums
ResearchGate
Using Socratic questioning to promote critical thinking skills in distance learning environments.
Read article ↗Socratic Dialogue for Critical Thinking in Vocational Education
ScienceDirect, 2023
Explores the impact of Socratic dialogue on critical thinking development in vocational education settings.
Read article ↗Enhancing Critical Thinking with a Socratic Chatbot
arXiv, 2024
AI-powered Socratic chatbots show promising results in enhancing reasoning in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments.
Read article ↗Structured viva voce assessments show high validity and reliability for evaluating deep understanding. Technology-assisted oral formats maintain quality and improve scalability.
Viva Voce Innovation in Medical Education
PMC, 2025
Explores innovative approaches to viva voce assessment in medical education.
Read article ↗Viva Voce as Assessment Method
Pearce & Lee, SAGE, 2009
Foundational study on the effectiveness of viva voce as an assessment method for evaluating deep understanding.
Read article ↗Structured Viva Validity & Reliability — Meta-Analysis
PMC, 2023
Meta-analysis confirming the validity and reliability of structured viva voce examinations.
Read article ↗Structured vs. Unstructured Viva
PMC, 2019
Comparative study demonstrating the advantages of structured over unstructured viva formats.
Read article ↗Technology-Assisted Viva
ScienceDirect, 2022
Technology-assisted oral examination formats maintain assessment quality while improving scalability — a key foundation for Lernix's conversational approach.
Read article ↗