Making the most of our minds

The discussion, part of the continuing Cambridge Science Festival, will examine the uses of brain boosting drugs and what role science has played in better understanding child development and creating new treatments for children.

The participants will include Cambridge researchers Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry and Professor Usha Goswami from the Faculty of Education. The debate will be chaired by the Guardian’s Tim Radford.

Recent research has transformed our understanding of child development and learning difficulties. Professor Goswami will argue that now is the time to capitalise on these developments and emphasise the need for improved interventions (from parenting to nursery and school care) to improve social behaviour and help children to face difficult challenges throughout their lives.

Brain boosting drugs appear to be increasing in popularity among adults, including students and shift workers, in the hope of improving alertness and brain power. Professor Sahakian’s recent research has explored the use of these drugs, such as the prescription drug Ritalin. In a recent poll for the science journal Nature she found that up to one fifth of adults may be using these cognitive enhancers to stimulate focus, concentration or memory.

Professor Sahakian and Professor Goswami will also share their experiences in working on the Government’s Foresight report into ‘Mental Capital and Wellbeing’. The report explored how we can make the most of our human resources in the future by realising the full potential of our brains, minds and emotions. The implications of the report are far reaching – for economic competitiveness and prosperity, our physical and mental health and mental wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, antisocial behaviour and even criminality.

This event is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement for Science and takes place at the Judge Business School from 7.30pm to 9pm.