A Eletroconvulsoterapia (ECT) é o tratamento biológico mais eficaz para quadros depressivos. Os estudos de seus aspectos técnicos são fundamentais tanto para compreensão dos mecanismos da ECT quanto para maximizar a eficácia e minimizar seus efeitos cognitivos. Existem muitos métodos para o cálculo da dose do estímulo elétrico e não há consenso em relação ao melhor. Sabe-se que doses muito elevadas tendem a ser eficazes, mas à custa de efeitos na memória. Embora o método de titulação seja recomendado pela Associação Psiquiátrica Americana, muitos profissionais tem preocupação sobre a segurança cardiovascular deste procedimento, devido aos sucessivos estímulos frustros que levam a um aumento na incidência de bradicardia e/ou assistolia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi traçar o perfil dos pacientes submetidos ao método da titulação do limiar, verificando sua segurança cardiovascular. Para isso foi feito um estudo retrospectivo e 113 casos foram revistos no ano de 2007. A maioria (70,3%) recebeu aplicação bilateral e (62,8%) eram mulheres. O diagnóstico de depressão apareceu com mais freqüência (50,5%). A maioria (57,5%) necessitou de dois estímulos, (12,4%) necessitou de apenas um, (28,3%) necessitou de três e (1,8%) realizou quatro estímulos. A média de frequência cardíaca inicial foi de 79,6 bpm (DP = 17). O limiar convulsígeno variou de 16mC a 128mC (média = 58,9; DP 25,4). A relação do limiar convulsígeno foi significativamente menor com o posicionamento unilateral dos eletrodos (p < 0,001), mas não com sexo ou idade. Não foi encontrada associação com a medicação concomitante. A incidência de bradicardia aumentou com os estímulos frustros, mas não foi significante a relação entre o primeiro e segundo estímulos. Não houve complicações cardíacas significativas e nenhum paciente apresentou assistolia. Conclui-se que o método da titulação do limiar pode ser uma estratégia segura e mais precisa, uma vez que os fatores (sexo, idade e uso de medicamentos) não foram relacionados com o LCT; a baixa incidência de complicações cardiovasculares reforça-o como método de escolha. Não se pode descartar um efeito protetor do uso da atropina. / Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective biological treatment for depression. Studies of the technical aspects are fundamental for understanding the mechanisms of ECT and to maximize efficiency and minimize their cognitive effects. There are many methods to determine the dose of electrical stimulation and there is no consensus on which is the best one. It is known that very high doses are effective, but at the expense of effects on memory. Although the method of limits (titration method) is generally accepted, being encouraged by the American Psychiatric Association, many practitioners have concerns regarding cardiac safety of this method. Due to repetitive subthreshold stimuli until the seizure is elicited, an increased risk of bradiarrhythmia and/or asystole is believed to be present. The objective of this study was to establish the profile of patients undergoing the method of titration of the threshold, checking their cardiovascular safety. A retrospective study was performed including 113 cases that receive their treatment in the year of 2007. The majority (70.3%%) received bilateral ECT, (62.8%) were women. The diagnosis of depression appeared more frequently (50.5%). The majority (57.5%) needed two stimuli; 12.4% needed only one; 28.3% needed three and 1.8% required four stimuli. The average initial heart rate was 79.6 bpm (SD = 17). The seizure threshold ranged from 16mC to 128mC (mean = 58.9, SD 25.4). The ratio seizure threshold was significantly lower with unilateral electrode placement (p <0.001) but not with sex or age. No association was found with concomitant medication. There was an increased incidence of bradycardia with subthreshold stimuli , but there was not a relationship between the first and second stimuli. There were no significant cardiac complications and no patient had asystole. In conclusion, the method of titration of the threshold seems to be a safe and more precise to determined electrical dose, since the factors usually used to predict the threshold (gender, age and medication use) were not related to the LCT The low incidence of cardiovascular complications adds up to its use as the method of choice.. A protective effect of atropine cannot be ruled out.

Kognityvieji sukeltieji potencialai arba su įvykiu susiję potencialai (SĮSP) leidžia įvertinti kai kurias kognityviąsias funkcijas. Jie nuo pat sukūrimo pradžios yra sėkmingai taikomi ir psichikos sutrikimų tyrimuose. SĮSP neinvaziškumas, objektyvumas, saugumas leidžia juos taikyti kognityviųjų funkcijų pokyčių, sukeltų medikamentinio gydymo ar kitos nemedikamentinės terapinės procedūros, įvertinimui. Pagrindinis darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti informacijos apdorojimo klausos sistemoje kitimą atipinių antipsichotikų risperidono ir kvetiapino poveikyje ir nemedikamentinių terapijos metodų - elektros impulsų terapijos bei metaglosoterapijos - poveikyje taikant su įvykiu susijusio potencialo P300 skaitmeninio registravimo ir kiekybinės analizės metodus. Klausos sukeltas P300 potencialas buvo registruojamas taikant „atsitiktinio įvykio“ principą trimis elektrodais (Fz, Cz ir Pz). Buvo matuojami 4 sukeltojo potencialo P300 parametrai: N2 latencija, P300 latencija, P300 amplitudė ir reikšmingo dirgiklio atpažinimo laikas. Darbo rezultatai parodė, kad SĮSP parametrai yra jautrūs informacijos apdorojimo klausos sistemoje procesų pažeidimo šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimų atveju rodikliai. Didesnę teigiamą įtaką klausos sukeltajam potencialui P300 turėjo atipinis antipsichotikas kvetiapinas. Nemedikamentiniai psichikos sutrikimų gydymo metodai nenusileidžia efektyvumu gerinant pacientų kognityviąsias funkcijas medikamentinei terapijai atipiniais antipsichotikais. / Recording and analysis of event-related potentials is safe and harmless method of evaluation of cognition and is suitable to follow the changes of cognitive processes induced by psychoactive drugs or other therapeutic procedures. The main aim of the work was to evaluate the influence of atypical antipsychotics risperidone and quetiapine and such nonpharmacological methods as electroconvulsive therapy and metaglossotherapy on the changes of information processing in the auditory system using event-related potential P300 recording and analysis method. Auditory P300 potential was elicited applying “odd-ball” paradigm and recorded at 3 electrode sites (Fz, Cz, Pz). 4 parameters of P300 potential were measured: N2 latency, P300 latency, P300 amplitude and recognition time of target stimulus. Total number of 85 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mood disorders were studied. Results of this work showed that the parameters of P300 potential are sensitive indicators of abnormalities of information processing in auditory system in the case of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. More considerable positive influence on the event-related potential P300 had atypical antipsychotic quetiapine and that nonpharmacological methods of treatment of psychiatric disorders are as effective as drug therapy with atypical antipsychotics in remediation of cognitive functions.

Recording and analysis of event-related potentials is safe and harmless method of evaluation of cognition and is suitable to follow the changes of cognitive processes induced by psychoactive drugs or other therapeutic procedures. The main aim of the work was to evaluate the influence of atypical antipsychotics risperidone and quetiapine and such nonpharmacological methods as electroconvulsive therapy and metaglossotherapy on the changes of information processing in the auditory system using event-related potential P300 recording and analysis method. Auditory P300 potential was elicited applying “odd-ball” paradigm and recorded at 3 electrode sites (Fz, Cz, Pz). 4 parameters of P300 potential were measured: N2 latency, P300 latency, P300 amplitude and recognition time of target stimulus. Total number of 85 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mood disorders were studied. Results of this work showed that the parameters of P300 potential are sensitive indicators of abnormalities of information processing in auditory system in the case of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. More considerable positive influence on the event-related potential P300 had atypical antipsychotic quetiapine and that nonpharmacological methods of treatment of psychiatric disorders are as effective as drug therapy with atypical antipsychotics in remediation of cognitive functions. / Kognityvieji sukeltieji potencialai arba su įvykiu susiję potencialai (SĮSP) leidžia įvertinti kai kurias kognityviąsias funkcijas. Jie nuo pat sukūrimo pradžios yra sėkmingai taikomi ir psichikos sutrikimų tyrimuose. SĮSP neinvaziškumas, objektyvumas, saugumas leidžia juos taikyti kognityviųjų funkcijų pokyčių, sukeltų medikamentinio gydymo ar kitos nemedikamentinės terapinės procedūros, įvertinimui. Pagrindinis darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti informacijos apdorojimo klausos sistemoje kitimą atipinių antipsichotikų risperidono ir kvetiapino poveikyje ir nemedikamentinių terapijos metodų - elektros impulsų terapijos bei metaglosoterapijos - poveikyje taikant su įvykiu susijusio potencialo P300 skaitmeninio registravimo ir kiekybinės analizės metodus. Klausos sukeltas P300 potencialas buvo registruojamas taikant „atsitiktinio įvykio“ principą trimis elektrodais (Fz, Cz ir Pz). Buvo matuojami 4 sukeltojo potencialo P300 parametrai: N2 latencija, P300 latencija, P300 amplitudė ir reikšmingo dirgiklio atpažinimo laikas. Darbo rezultatai parodė, kad SĮSP parametrai yra jautrūs informacijos apdorojimo klausos sistemoje procesų pažeidimo šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimų atveju rodikliai. Didesnę teigiamą įtaką klausos sukeltajam potencialui P300 turėjo atipinis antipsichotikas kvetiapinas. Nemedikamentiniai psichikos sutrikimų gydymo metodai nenusileidžia efektyvumu gerinant pacientų kognityviąsias funkcijas medikamentinei terapijai atipiniais antipsichotikais.

A depressao refrataria e caracterizada por ciclos recorrentes de longa duracao de episodios severos, que nao remitem ao utilizar varios tipos de antidepressivos. Ate 20% desses pacientes necessitam de tratamentos com a utilizacao de multiplos antidepressivos e/ou eletroconvulsoterapia (ECT). Para minimizar a duracao da doenca, o surgimento de reacoes adversas a medicamentos e os custos medicos com o tratamento, torna-se util o conhecimento previo da terapia que provavelmente sera mais efetiva e melhor tolerada para cada paciente. Um dos objetivos deste trabalho foi identificar polimorfismos de DNA em genes envolvidos na farmacocinetica e farmacodinamica dos antidepressivos, que poderiam estar envolvidos com a resposta terapeutica na depressao unipolar ou bipolar. Para tanto, avaliamos polimorfismos de DNA tais como: CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, ABCB1, SCL6A2, SLC6A3, HTR1A, HTR2A, TPH1, TPH2, COMT. Desse modo, polimorfismos nos genes selecionados foram genotipados em pacientes com depressao que respondem ao tratamento e em pacientes com os mesmos diagnosticos que sao refratarios ao tratamento medicamentoso e, por esse motivo, sao submetidos a ECT. Em nosso estudo, encontramos somente diferencas significativas no genotipo entre refratarios e respondedores para o gene ABCB1 [aumento da frequencia do genotipo CT em pacientes refratários para o polimorfismo rs1128503 (p=0,007) ] e para o polimorfismo rs6314 no gene HTR2A [ aumento da frequencia do genotipo AG em pacientes respondedores (p=0,042) ]. Para os demais genes nao encontramos diferencas entre as frequencias alelicas e genotipicas. Para realizarmos uma analise mais abrangente, utilizamos o metodo CART (Classification regression tree). Com ele pudemos fazer um modelo de Arvore de Decisao que possibilitou unificar os resultados dos genotipos dos polimorfismos estudados nos genes CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, ABCB1, SCL6A2, SLC6A3, HTR1A, HTR2A, TPH1, TPH2, COMT, afim de identificar o conjunto de genotipos que poderiam mostrar o percentual de chance dos pacientes serem refratarios ou respondedores, ou seja, conseguimos adequar uma metodologia estatistica que avalia os genótipos de diferentes genes em conjunto, identificando assim, qual e a contribuicao dos genotipos para a condicao de refratario ou respondedor. Com isso, criamos um modelo de analise de varios genotipos ao mesmo tempo que seleciona aqueles que melhor classificam os grupos (refratarios e respondedores). O que seria mais eficaz do que fazer associacoes individuais, porque, a arvore de decisao e capaz de encontrar interacao entre os genotipos, alem de evitar colinearidade. Com nossos dados de genotipagem, conseguimos uma arvore que apresenta uma sensibilidade de 81,6%, especificidade de 58,1% e precisao de 71,5%. Acreditamos que futuramente a utilizacao da combinacao de genotipos de um grupo de genes relacionados a farmacocinetica e dinamica de medicamentos utilizados no tratamento de diferentes doencas, possa ser simplesmente inserido em um banco de dados que determine as possibilidades do paciente responda ou nao a determinado tratamento (baseado no modelo da Arvore de Decisao). Acreditamos tambem que a determinacao de um conjunto de polimorfismos relacionados a resposta e refratariedade ao tratamento com antidepressivos pode trazer beneficios clinicos ao paciente, contribuindo para a personalização da terapia, melhorando a eficacia do tratamento da depressao unipolar ou bipolar / Refractory depression is characterized by recurrent cycles of long and severe episodes which did not remit even with the use various classes of antidepressants. Up to 20% of patients need treatments with the use of multiple antidepressants and/or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). To minimize the duration of the disease, the adverse drug reactions and medical costs with treatment, it is useful to have prior knowledge of the therapy that will probably be more effective and better tolerated for each patient. One of the objectives of the work was to identify DNA polymorphisms in genes involved in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antidepressants, which could be involved in the therapeutic response in unipolar or bipolar depression. To this end, we evaluated the DNA polymorphisms on the genes: CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, ABCB1, SCL6A2, SLC6A3, HTR1A, HTR2A, TPH1, TPH2, and COMT. Thus, polymorphisms in selected genes were genotyped in patients with depression who respond to treatment and in patients with the same diagnosis who are refractory to drug treatment and, therefore, are subjected to ECT. In our study, only significant differences between the genotype of refractories and nonrefractory patients were in the ABCB1 gene [increase of the CT genotype frequency in patients refractory to the rs1128503 polymorphism (p=0.007)] and the rs6314 polymorphisms in the HTR2A gene [the increased frequency AG genotype in non-refractory patients (p=0.042)]. For other genes we found no differences between the allele and genotype frequencies. In order to conduct a more comprehensive analysis, we used the CART method (classification regression tree). With it, we could make a decision tree model that made it possible to unify the results of the genotypes of the polymorphisms studied in the CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, ABCB1, SCL6A2, SLC6A3, HTR1A, HTR2A, TPH1, TPH2, COMT genes, in order to identify a set of genotypes that could show the probability of one patient being refractory or non-refractory to treatment, i.e., we can tailor a statistical methodology that evaluates the genotypes of different genes together, thereby identifying which is the contribution of genotypes for the condition of refractory or non-refractory. Therefore, we created a model of analysis of various genotypes at the same time selecting those that best classify groups (refractory and non-refractory), what would be more effective than do individual associations, because the decision tree is able to find interaction between genotypes and avoids collinearity. With our data genotyping, we got a tree that has a sensitivity of 81.6%, specificity of 58.1% and accuracy of 71.5%. We believe that the future use of the combination of genotypes of a group of genes related to pharmacokinetics and dynamics of drugs used to treat different diseases can be simply inserted into a database to determine the chances of the patient to respond or not to the treatment (according to the decision making tree model). We also believe that the determination of a set of polymorphisms related to the response and non-response to treatment with antidepressants can bring clinical benefits to patients, contributing to customize therapy, improving the effectiveness of the treatment of unipolar or bipolar depression

A Eletroconvulsoterapia (ECT) é o tratamento biológico mais eficaz para quadros depressivos. Os estudos de seus aspectos técnicos são fundamentais tanto para compreensão dos mecanismos da ECT quanto para maximizar a eficácia e minimizar seus efeitos cognitivos. Existem muitos métodos para o cálculo da dose do estímulo elétrico e não há consenso em relação ao melhor. Sabe-se que doses muito elevadas tendem a ser eficazes, mas à custa de efeitos na memória. Embora o método de titulação seja recomendado pela Associação Psiquiátrica Americana, muitos profissionais tem preocupação sobre a segurança cardiovascular deste procedimento, devido aos sucessivos estímulos frustros que levam a um aumento na incidência de bradicardia e/ou assistolia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi traçar o perfil dos pacientes submetidos ao método da titulação do limiar, verificando sua segurança cardiovascular. Para isso foi feito um estudo retrospectivo e 113 casos foram revistos no ano de 2007. A maioria (70,3%) recebeu aplicação bilateral e (62,8%) eram mulheres. O diagnóstico de depressão apareceu com mais freqüência (50,5%). A maioria (57,5%) necessitou de dois estímulos, (12,4%) necessitou de apenas um, (28,3%) necessitou de três e (1,8%) realizou quatro estímulos. A média de frequência cardíaca inicial foi de 79,6 bpm (DP = 17). O limiar convulsígeno variou de 16mC a 128mC (média = 58,9; DP 25,4). A relação do limiar convulsígeno foi significativamente menor com o posicionamento unilateral dos eletrodos (p < 0,001), mas não com sexo ou idade. Não foi encontrada associação com a medicação concomitante. A incidência de bradicardia aumentou com os estímulos frustros, mas não foi significante a relação entre o primeiro e segundo estímulos. Não houve complicações cardíacas significativas e nenhum paciente apresentou assistolia. Conclui-se que o método da titulação do limiar pode ser uma estratégia segura e mais precisa, uma vez que os fatores (sexo, idade e uso de medicamentos) não foram relacionados com o LCT; a baixa incidência de complicações cardiovasculares reforça-o como método de escolha. Não se pode descartar um efeito protetor do uso da atropina. / Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective biological treatment for depression. Studies of the technical aspects are fundamental for understanding the mechanisms of ECT and to maximize efficiency and minimize their cognitive effects. There are many methods to determine the dose of electrical stimulation and there is no consensus on which is the best one. It is known that very high doses are effective, but at the expense of effects on memory. Although the method of limits (titration method) is generally accepted, being encouraged by the American Psychiatric Association, many practitioners have concerns regarding cardiac safety of this method. Due to repetitive subthreshold stimuli until the seizure is elicited, an increased risk of bradiarrhythmia and/or asystole is believed to be present. The objective of this study was to establish the profile of patients undergoing the method of titration of the threshold, checking their cardiovascular safety. A retrospective study was performed including 113 cases that receive their treatment in the year of 2007. The majority (70.3%%) received bilateral ECT, (62.8%) were women. The diagnosis of depression appeared more frequently (50.5%). The majority (57.5%) needed two stimuli; 12.4% needed only one; 28.3% needed three and 1.8% required four stimuli. The average initial heart rate was 79.6 bpm (SD = 17). The seizure threshold ranged from 16mC to 128mC (mean = 58.9, SD 25.4). The ratio seizure threshold was significantly lower with unilateral electrode placement (p <0.001) but not with sex or age. No association was found with concomitant medication. There was an increased incidence of bradycardia with subthreshold stimuli , but there was not a relationship between the first and second stimuli. There were no significant cardiac complications and no patient had asystole. In conclusion, the method of titration of the threshold seems to be a safe and more precise to determined electrical dose, since the factors usually used to predict the threshold (gender, age and medication use) were not related to the LCT The low incidence of cardiovascular complications adds up to its use as the method of choice.. A protective effect of atropine cannot be ruled out.

No description available.

L’électroconvulsivothérapie (ECT), anciennement connue sous le nom «d’électrochoc», est utilisée dans le traitement de plusieurs pathologies psychiatriques, notamment la dépression majeure réfractaire au traitement. La crainte d’effets secondaires cognitifs en limite l’utilisation, malgré les nombreuses améliorations qui ont eu lieu depuis son invention en 1938. Le choix des tests cognitifs à inclure dans le suivi clinique demeure sujet de discussion, peu de données étant disponibles sur les impacts cognitifs des techniques modernes d’ECT. La présente étude a donc pour but de faire une revue systématique des effets secondaires cognitifs des pratiques modernes de l’ECT, et de faire la revue des tests cognitifs utilisés dans le suivi clinique. En ce sens, 91 études ont été sélectionnées selon les standards PRISMA et incluses pour méta-analyse, pour un total de 3762 patients; les tests cognitifs ont été séparés en 11 différents domaines; les résultats aux tests cognitifs pré-ECT ont été comparés aux résultats post-ECT à 3 différents temps, soit immédiatement post-ECT (moins de 24h), court terme (moins d’un mois) et long terme (plus d’un mois). Malgré une hétérogénéité élevée, les données montrent un impact à court terme négatif léger à modéré, surtout sur la mémoire autobiographique, la mémoire verbale et la fluidité verbale; au contraire, les fonctions exécutives sont améliorées rapidement après l’ECT. On observe à long terme une amélioration sur presque tous les domaines cognitifs. Certaines populations sont davantage à risque d’effets secondaires, montrant par exemple une atteinte de la fluidité verbale inversement proportionnelle à l’âge. Le Mini-Mental (MMSE), bien qu’il soit le plus utilisé dans la littérature, semble limité pour le suivi des effets secondaires cognitifs de l’ECT. / Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains one of the most effective treatments for major depressive disorder but remains highly stigmatised. Fear of cognitive side effects limit its use, even after numerous improvements of the ECT techniques since its discovery in 1938. Uncertainties persist regarding the best cognitive tests to be included in ECT clinical follow-up, as there are only few systematised data of the cognitive impact of modern ECT techniques. The current study is a systematic review of the most frequent cognitive side effects following ECT and a review of the cognitive tests used in clinical follow up. A total of 91 studies published from 2000, with an aggregated sample of 3762 individuals were included. Standardized cognitive tests were separated into 10 different cognitive domains for analysis. Comparisons between cognitive measures included pre-ECT baseline with post-ECT cognitive measures at three times: immediate effects (within 24h post-ECT), subacute (within one month post-ECT), and long-term (more than one month post-ECT). Although studies showed high heterogeneity, Hedges’ g revealed small to medium effect sizes for short-term effects post-ECT, with individuals presenting a decrease in autobiographical memory, verbal fluency, and verbal memory. The impact on verbal fluency showed an inverse correlation with age, being significantly greater in younger adults. Conversely, executive functions improved significantly post-ECT. Long-term effects showed an improvement on almost all cognitive domains. According to the literature, the Mini-Mental State Examination is the most common screening test used in ECT, but its clinical utility is extremely limited to track post-ECT cognitive changes.

No description available.

Background: Eating disorders are psychiatric illnesses whose treatment is difficult and usually the classic procedures fail. Recently, the number of researches in neuromodulatory methods has increased. I present an overview of basic stimulation methods, their use in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa and binge-eating and the results of our study focused on the treatment of AN by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Methods: It was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Forty-three inpatients with AN were divided to receive either active (n=22) or sham (n=21) tDCS over the left DLPFC (anode F3/cathode Fp2, 2mA for 30 minutes). All patients filled the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Zung depression scale (ZUNG), we measured them the thermal pain threshold, the objective dissatisfaction with their own body by Anamorfic program and evaluated BMI before the first and after the last tDCS. Follow-up was after 2 and 4 weeks. It was evaluated using ANOVA and OPLS model. Results: Compared to sham tDCS, active tDCS improved self-evaluation based on one's body shape (p < 0,05) and significantly decreased the need of excessive control over calorie intake (p < 0,05) in 4-week follow-up (questions 4 and 23 in EDE-Q). Question 21 in EDE-Q was more...

The desire to enhance and make ourselves better is not a new one and it has continued to intrigue throughout the ages. Individuals have continued to seek ways to improve and enhance their well-being for example through nutrition, physical exercise, education and so on. Crucial to this improvement of their well-being is improving their ability to remember. Hence, people interested in improving their well-being, are often interested in memory as well. The rationale being that memory is crucial to our well-being. The desire to improve one’s memory then is almost certainly as old as the desire to improve one’s well-being. Traditionally, people have used different means in an attempt to enhance their memories: for example in learning through storytelling, studying, and apprenticeship. In remembering through practices like mnemonics, repetition, singing, and drumming. In retaining, storing and consolidating memories through nutrition and stimulants like coffee to help keep awake; and by external aids like notepads and computers. In forgetting through rituals and rites. Recent scientific advances in biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and information technologies, present a wide variety of technologies to enhance many different aspects of human functioning. Thus, some commentators have identified human enhancement as central and one of the most fascinating subject in bioethics in the last two decades. Within, this period, most of the commentators have addressed the Ethical, Social, Legal and Policy (ESLP) issues in human enhancements as a whole as opposed to specific enhancements. However, this is problematic and recently various commentators have found this to be deficient and called for a contextualized case-by-case analysis to human enhancements for example genetic enhancement, moral enhancement, and in my case memory enhancement (ME). The rationale being that the reasons for accepting/rejecting a particular enhancement vary depending on the enhancement itself. Given this enormous variation, moral and legal generalizations about all enhancement processes and technologies are unwise and they should instead be evaluated individually. Taking this as a point of departure, this research will focus specifically on making a case for ME and in doing so assessing the ESLP implications arising from ME. My analysis will draw on the already existing literature for and against enhancement, especially in part two of this thesis; but it will be novel in providing a much more in-depth analysis of ME. From this perspective, I will contribute to the ME debate through two reviews that address the question how we enhance the memory, and through four original papers discussed in part three of this thesis, where I examine and evaluate critically specific ESLP issues that arise with the use of ME. In the conclusion, I will amalgamate all my contribution to the ME debate and suggest the future direction for the ME debate.