|
|||||
|
|
|
"Are
You Ready
Learn
More Here:
|
||
|
In the future, reality shows may have names such as "Extreme Makeover: Brain Edition" or "Sharp Eye for the Dumb Guy." At the beginning of each episode, viewers could learn about one hapless soul’s lifelong struggles with algebra and another’s desire to not be a worrywart. By the end of the hour, the transformed contestants would be winning chess matches and prancing carefree through fields of daisies. Some neurologists have recently wondered whether their field is the next frontier in elective medicine. The specialty now tries to protect ailing brains from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or migraine headaches. But doctors’ efforts may one day extend to normal brains. "This is coming, and we need to know it’s coming," says Dr. Anjan Chatterjee of the University of Pennsylvania. There’s even a name for the field: cosmetic neurology. As he envisions it, cosmetic neurology could one day mean not just 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. These are not just theoretical musings. Last month in the journal Neurology, Chatterjee pointed out that drugs already exist that 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 Alzheimer’s disease medications 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 says, they need to be prepared. "What I’m hoping to do with this is get people talking." Source: Dallas Morning News More headlines at www.mindpowernews.com |
