… Here, let me patch that up for you …
The prospects of “cosmetic neurology” — chemical and other methods to tweak the brain and improve how it works. Like “cosmetic surgery,” it has the both alarming and intriguing prospect of going beyond fixing injuries and crippling conditions to being something that folks choose electively.
As he envisions it, cosmetic neurology one day could mean not only sharpening intelligence, but also elevating other dictates of the brain ? reflexes, attention, mood and memory. Studying for the SAT? Take this drug to retain more of those pesky facts. About to report for duty at the fire station? These pills will improve your reflexes. Here’s the 800 number. Ask your doctor.
These are not only theoretical musings. Last month in the journal Neurology, Chatterjee noted that some current drugs already may have many of these effects. In one study, for example, emergency-room patients given a memory-altering drug appeared to be spared some symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Another small study of pilots in flight simulators suggested that those taking medications for Alzheimer’s disease performed better, particularly under emergency conditions.
Chatterjee reserves opinion but says the idea speaks to the basic purpose of medical practice.
“I’m not arguing that this is a bad thing, and I’m not arguing it’s a good thing.” Before doctors are caught by surprise, he said, they need to be prepared. “What I’m hoping to do with this is get people talking.”
(via GeekPress)