Suptopic Neurosciences

Neuroscientific research and its findings bring about new insights and opportunities for action in both medical and nonmedical contexts. At the same time, they go hand in hand with the development and application of new technologies.

Progress in the development of biomarkers, especially in (functional) imaging procedures, can lead to new options for diagnosing psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Neuroimplants for stimulating and replacing dead neurons, nanoparticles for overcoming the blood-brain barrier, or microchip-controlled minipumps for dispensing drugs are subjects of research that could open up new options for treatment. However, these types of procedures can also be used for nonmedical purposes. For example, imaging procedures used as "lie detectors", brain-computer interfaces, or psychopharmaceuticals with the objective of "enhancing" individuals and altering their personalities are all subjects of discussion.

Neuroscientific developments offer opportunities, but at the same time require in-depth interdisciplinary reflection. This concerns not only the assessment and evaluation of potential consequences, but also involves general questions on the way individuals and society deal with the developments.

Aim of the research studies:

• analysing the social contextualization of the neurosciences from the perspective of individual processes of perception, understanding, evaluating, and decision-making
• investigating fundamental ethical challenges of the neurosciences