Neurotechnology and Society : Neurotechnology and Society

Neurotechnology and Society

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 Monday, October 21, 2002

The Brain's Boundaries: Want a New Accent?

How many ways can our minds me molded?  Researchers at Oxford believe they have zeroed in on the brain region involved in foreign accent syndrome, which causes patients' accents to shift suddenly. The first known case was reported in 1941 and involved a Norwegian woman who was ostracized when she developed what her neighbors thought was a German accent after she recovered from shrapnel injuries.  Listen to a recent example of an English woman reporter who has foreign accent syndrome: before and after.  Who knows, acting might just get a whole lot easier.


12:27:14 PM    comment []  

Biocompetitive Advantage: Provigil in Action

If accidents at your 24/7 factory are higher during the night shift, increasing your insurance rates, wouldn't you want to be able to provide employees with the best tools possible to make sure they stay safe and you pay less?

Provigil, which is short for "promotes vigilance," was approved by the FDA in 1998 for treatment of sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, a condition in which people fall asleep uncontrollably.  Provigil, Cephalon's No. 1 drug, has the ability to keep people awake and alert for hours, or even days. And it appears to do so without the side effects — the buzz and jitteriness, or the risk of addiction — of coffee or amphetamines. 

Provigil is currently it clinical trials to expand its approved uses, for late night workers, and is a good example of how companies and workers will be leveraging the latest tools to increase the competitive advantage of their organizations.  Watch out universities, now your students might actually be able to ace all your tests.


10:10:52 AM    comment []