Posted on 02/08/2006 8:45:29 PM PST by phoenix0468
DRUG used to treat Alzheimer's disease can also be used to boost brainpower in the healthy, say doctors.
Donepezil has a 'remarkable impact' on a wide range of functions, including memory, concentration and ability to learn.
The findings led to predictions yesterday that it could go on sale over the counter as a 'smart pill' in a few years.
A conference in Bristol heard that the widespread sale of such drugs known as 'cognitive enhancers' would have huge implications for society.
Dr Andrea Malizia, a consultant senior lecturer in the department of psychopharmacology at Bristol University, said: 'The potential for these drugs is enormous.
'People already buy vitamins and take caffeine to improve mental functions but these drugs will offer a whole new dimension.
'Studies have shown people who take these drugs are able to memorise more words than they would normally be able and increase their general brainpower.
'We have used them to treat mental disease with great effect, but there is obviously the market for healthy people to take them just to get smarter.'
The predictions follow a report by the Government think-tank Foresight which claimed brain-enhancing drugs could one day become as 'common as coffee'.
The new drugs could usher in a new era of 'mental cosmetics' and could lead to children undergoing 'dope tests' before taking exams, it said.
Recent research from Germany and America has found that young men who took the drug also showed signs of enhanced brainpower albeit on a lesser scale than the effect it has on Alzheimer's sufferers.
Ritalin, which is normally prescribed to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was also cited by experts.
In recent years, it has been used by students and those in businesss to enhance mental performance.
But some experts have reservations about the ethics of smart pills. Dr Paul Howard-Jones, neuroscience and education network co- ordinator at Bristol University, drew parallels with the anti- impotence drug Viagra a product designed for a specific purpose which was later hijacked by everyday users.
He said: 'The (smart) pills are likely to be available to the general public in a few years.
'But we do not know how they will be regulated it may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills.
'Of course, there could be restrictions placed on their sale but that might mean people buy them illegally.
'I would call on people to start discussing their impact before they start causing tremendous problems in society.' e.cook@dailymail.co.uk
Thought you guys might be interested in this.
Or the story "Flowers for Algernon", made into a movie called "Charly"
Howie Dean will probably be the first to take them.
Will it help me get rid of the voice in my head that won't stop shouting "The new phone book is here! The new phone book is here!"?
Peptide 9!
No, but it will help you memorize every name in that new phonebook, LOL.
Oh yeah, I forgot that one, LOL. Maybe I need to take the drug, HEHE.
I truly don't think there is any hope for that man when it comes to intelligence. His problem is faulty wiring not lack of it. LOL.
Beat me to it!
Another use might be to ace a technical interview. Any doctor can prescribe this stuff; it doesn't have to be a gerontologist.
Hey, that reminds me, I have an interview Friday for a technical position. I wonder how long it takes to kick in, LOL.
See, now if you'd have been taking the drug, LOL.
Wouldn't have helped, I was surfing other threads !
Yeah, but the drug might have given you some kind of Telepathic ability that would have let you KNOW the thread was posted before it was actually posted, HAHAHA!!
What's the name of that drug again?
What's the name of that drug again?
What's the name..."
No, but it will help you memorize every name in that new phonebook, LOL.
Ba-da-bump!
Eh, it couldn't improve my already masterful grasp of The Obvious.
"Brain Wave" by Poul Anderson...
I need that drug....I didn't even know the thread was posted ....but I see I had a ping.....thanks.
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