[Neuro-enhancement. Brain doping].

Cognitive enhancement, the increase in the mental ability by psychoactive substances and other interventions has received a renewed boost through the development of innovative principle. More than 100 drugs are currently being developed, tested or used for cognitive enhancement. Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, dimebon, ampakines, fluoxetine and other antidepressants, methylphenidate and modafinil are candidates awaiting a larger distribution as cognitive enhancers in healthy individuals, if their advantages can be demonstrated. Beyond more general neuro-ethical reservations regarding neuro-enhancement, future research will need to address the following neuropsychiatric issues: (1) will the benefits of longer term neuro-enhancement outweigh potential disadvantages such as rebound effects and other neurobiological and psychosocial trade-offs? (2) What will be the neuropsychiatric sequelae of a soft coercion towards drug usage at work and for recreational purposes? (3) Will there be new and specific neuropsychiatric diseases due to long-term usage of neuro-enhancers in a larger population? Novel strategies of neuro-enhancement will have to demonstrate their superiority compared with more traditional and well-established interventions such as coffee and cake.