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Cognitive enhancement: promises and perils.

Steven E Hyman¹

¹Office of the Provost, Massachusetts Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. seh@harvard.edu

|February 23, 2011

Summary

The development of drugs to enhance cognition, emotion, and executive function is controversial. This discussion covers medical, regulatory, and ethical concerns regarding potential cognitive enhancers.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Bioethics

Background:

The concept of cognitive enhancement drugs (CEDs) has garnered significant attention.
Current research into neuropsychiatric disorder treatments may yield compounds with unintended cognitive-enhancing effects.
The existence of effective and widely available CEDs remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a framework for discussing the implications of potential cognitive enhancers.
To contextualize the debate surrounding drug-induced enhancements in cognition, emotion, and executive function.
To address the medical, regulatory, and ethical considerations associated with emerging enhancers.

Main Methods:

Literature review of current research in neuropsychiatric drug discovery.

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Analysis of ethical frameworks related to human enhancement.

Examination of regulatory policies concerning pharmaceuticals.

Main Results:

Few drugs currently exist that demonstrably enhance cognition, emotion, or executive function.
Ongoing research for neuropsychiatric disorders presents a potential pathway for the emergence of enhancers.
Significant medical, regulatory, and ethical questions are raised by this possibility.

Conclusions:

The potential emergence of cognitive enhancers necessitates a proactive discussion of associated concerns.
A multidisciplinary approach is required to navigate the complexities of cognitive enhancement.
Careful consideration of medical, regulatory, and ethical factors is crucial for responsible development and use.