scholarly journals Neuroethical issues in cognitive enhancement: Modafinil as the example of a workplace drug?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 239821281881601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette B. Brühl ◽  
Camilla d’Angelo ◽  
Barbara J. Sahakian
Keyword(s):  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Cognitive Enhancement ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Smart Drugs ◽  
And Task

The use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by healthy individuals has been a feature for much of recorded history. Cocaine and amphetamine are modern cases of drugs initially enthusiastically acclaimed for enhancing cognition and mood. Today, an increasing number of healthy people are reported to use cognitive-enhancing drugs, as well as other interventions, such as non-invasive brain stimulation, to maintain or improve work performance. 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 under what conditions and by what methods we would wish to improve and flourish.

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1677) ◽  
pp. 20140214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Sahakian ◽  
Annette B. Bruhl ◽  
Jennifer Cook ◽  
Clare Killikelly ◽  
George Savulich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cholinesterase Inhibitors ◽  
Cognitive Enhancement ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Smart Drugs ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

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.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: Augmenting the Training and Performance Potential in Esports Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Wei Zhuang ◽  
Keyi Yin ◽  
Yahua Zi ◽  
Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Performance Potential ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Technical Safety

During the last two decades, esports, a highly competitive sporting activity, has gained increasing popularity. Both performance and competition in esports require players to have fine motor skills and physical and cognitive abilities in controlling and manipulating digital activities in a virtual environment. While strategies for building and improving skills and abilities are crucial for successful gaming performance, few effective training approaches exist in the fast-growing area of competitive esports. In this paper, we describe a non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) approach and highlight the relevance and potential areas for research while being cognizant of various technical, safety, and ethical issues related to NIBS when applied to esports.

Cognitive Enhancement in Young Healthy Subjects Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Cognitive Training

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S34-S34
Author(s):  
A.K. Brem
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Cognitive Enhancement ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Impact

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is being widely investigated to understand and modulate human brain function. The interest in using tES to enhance cognitive abilities not only in patient populations but also in healthy individuals has grown in recent years. Specifically in combination with cognitive training tES has shown success in enhancing cognition. However, to date, we still know little about the impact of interindividual differences on intervention outcomes. A variety of tES techniques and their effects in combination with cognitive training, interactive effects of tES with baseline cognitive abilities and neurophysiological traits will be presented and following ramifications with regards to the development of individualised stimulation protocols will be discussed.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

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