Cosmetic neurology: the controversy over enhancing movement, mentation, and mood

Neurology. 2004 Sep 28;63(6):968-74. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000138438.88589.7c.

Abstract

Advances in cognitive neuroscience and neuropharmacology are yielding exciting treatments for neurologic diseases. Many of these treatments are also likely to have uses for people without disease. Here, I review the ways in which medicine might make bodies and brains function better by modulating motor, cognitive, and affective systems. These potential "quality of life" interventions raise ethical concerns, some related to the individual and others related to society. Despite these concerns, I argue that major restraints on the development of cosmetic neurology are not likely. Neurologists and other clinicians are likely to encounter patient-consumers who view physicians as gatekeepers in their own pursuit of happiness.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Affect / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Biomedical Enhancement* / ethics
  • Biomedical Enhancement* / methods
  • Character
  • Coercion
  • Cognitive Science / methods
  • Cognitive Science / trends
  • Esthetics*
  • Happiness
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Marketing of Health Services
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Military Medicine
  • Movement / drug effects
  • Neurology / methods*
  • Neuropharmacology / methods
  • Neuropharmacology / trends
  • Nootropic Agents / pharmacology
  • Nootropic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects
  • Physician's Role
  • Quality of Life
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / agonists
  • Social Desirability
  • Social Justice
  • Social Values
  • Thinking / drug effects

Substances

  • Nootropic Agents
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate