Researchers see flood of "brain-boosting" drugs

By Michael Kahn

LONDON (Reuters) - A flood of new "brain-boosting" drugs will emerge in coming decades for diseases like Alzheimer's, putting pressure on authorities over the drugs potential misuse for non-medical purposes -- such as helping students cram for exams, scientists said on Thursday.

"The use of psychoactive drugs by patients and health individuals will become an increasing feature in all our lives," said Gabriel Horn on Thursday.

Horn, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, chaired the group that issued the report on the drugs that act on the brain to the British government.

The study from the Academy of Medical Sciences said the government would have to deal with the likely increase of "brain-boosting" drugs that may improve short-term memory or speed of thought.

While the drugs might help people with neurodegenerative diseases, mental illness and addiction, such treatments could also prove popular among the public for non-medical purposes, such as studying or staying alert at work, they said.

"We must act now to harness the opportunities offered by advances in brain science to treat and prevent disease, but also to reduce the harms associated with drug misuse and addiction," Horn said.

One way to do this would be to ensure there is adequate funding for research into the safety and effectiveness of these new compounds, the researchers said.

The Academy of Medical Sciences considers the social and policy implications of the potential recreational and medical uses of these drugs.