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Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

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Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
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CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its effects by...
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Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex to Enhance Metacognitive Sensitivity
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Published on: September 26, 2025

Neuroethical issues in cognitive enhancement.

Barbara J Sahakian1, Sharon Morein-Zamir

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|March 10, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Neuroethics examines the ethics of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers. These drugs, intended for cognitive disabilities, also boost performance in healthy individuals, raising societal concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Bioethics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Neuroethics addresses ethical issues from neuroscience advancements.
  • Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers are a key area of concern.
  • These drugs are developed for cognitive disabilities but also enhance cognition in healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on cognitive enhancers in neuropsychiatric and healthy individuals.
  • To discuss the societal implications of cognitive enhancer research and use.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers.
  • Analysis of research findings in both patient and healthy populations.
  • Discussion of ethical and societal impacts.

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

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Main Results:

  • Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers show efficacy in treating cognitive disabilities.
  • Evidence suggests these enhancers improve cognitive task performance in healthy individuals.
  • Growing use of these drugs for non-therapeutic cognitive enhancement is observed.

Conclusions:

  • Neuroscience advancements, particularly in cognitive enhancers, present significant ethical challenges.
  • The dual-use nature of these drugs necessitates careful societal consideration.
  • Further discussion is required to navigate the ethical landscape of cognitive enhancement.