The impact of neuroscience on society: cognitive enhancement in neuropsychiatric disorders and in healthy people

Abstract

In addition to causing distress and disability to the individual, neuropsychiatric disorders are also extremely expensive to society and governments. These disorders are both common and debilitating and impact on cognition, functionality and wellbeing. Cognitive enhancing drugs, such as cholinesterase inhibitors and methylphenidate, are used to treat cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, respectively. Other cognitive enhancers include specific computerized cognitive training and devices. An example of a novel form of cognitive enhancement using the technological advancement of a game on an iPad that also acts to increase motivation is presented. Cognitive enhancing drugs, such as methylphenidate and modafinil, which were developed as treatments, are increasingly being used by healthy people. Modafinil not only affects ‘cold’ cognition, but also improves ‘hot’ cognition, such as emotion recognition and task-related motivation. The lifestyle use of ‘smart drugs' raises both safety concerns as well as ethical issues, including coercion and increasing disparity in society. As a society, we need to consider which forms of cognitive enhancement (e.g. pharmacological, exercise, lifelong learning) are acceptable and for which groups (e.g. military, doctors) under what conditions (e.g. war, shift work) and by what methods we would wish to improve and flourish.

Drugs, games, and devices for enhancing cognition: implications for work and society

“…This is in parallel to studies investigating the motivation of students who consume cognitive enhancers, mainly reporting motivations to increase performance and “keep up” (concentration, vigilance, memory, cognitive potential), to stay awake for longer periods, to cope with a pressure to succeed, and to maintain an active social life . In addition, factors such as overcoming jet lag and improving focus and increasing motivation for performance of tasks over longer time periods are known reasons for taking drugs such as modafinil …”

“…These changes in work environments and the ever‐increasing demands on cognition associated with the changes contribute to the tendency to use strategies to improve work performance. There are several methods to enhance cognitive functions, which can be differentiated into pharmacological (“smart drugs,” “neuroenhancers”) and nonpharmacological strategies, including physical exercise, diet, sleep, meditation, as well as technical devices (transcranial stimulation) and computer games and applications aimed at boosting brain function . In the following section, we will focus on pharmacological enhancers (using neuroscience‐based nomenclature) but not on generally consumed, widely available substances, such as caffeine, and will discuss the current state of other methods in the last section.…”

Consumo De Estimulantes Cerebrais Em Acadêmicos Da Área Da Saúde Na Cidade De Ponta Grossa-Pr

“…O termo "aperfeiçoamento cognitivo" surgiu no inicio dessa década para relatar a possibilidade de um fármaco produzir, de forma artificial, uma maior capacidade de retenção de memória, concentração e planejamento de tarefas, características já presentes em pessoas isentas de transtornos de déficit intelectual. (HYMAN, 2011;SAHAKIAN et al, 2015).…”

Neuroethics: the institutionalization of ethics in neuroscience

“…Neuroimaging devices 3 , neurosurgery techniques 4 , cranial stimulation devices 5 , psychopharmacologic drugs 6 , and numerous other neurotechnological products and techniques have resulted from the advancement of the current research in neuroscience. As a result, the way we understand and explain the relationship between brain and mind are changing.…”

“…Yet certain claims have overstepped the bounds of research--based medical practice and unregulated market consumption has been freely permitted 6 . Moreover, brain stimulation devices for 'do-it-yourself'-style cognitive enhancement have raised concerns among experts concerning the risks and benefits of this practice 17 .…”