Grant: Dissemination Events - Priority Announcement: Ethics

The Brain Matters II: Ethics in the Translation of Neuroscience Research to Psychiatric and Neurological Care Le cerveau importe II : L'éthique dans le transfert des neurosciences aux soins psychiatriques et neurologiques November 25-26, 2010, Montréal More than ever the prospects of neuroscience research are bringing to the forefront major benefits and ethical challenges for medicine and society. Examples of such major ethical and social challenges generated by neuroscience are the modulation and enhancement of mood and cognition through off-label use of neuropharmaceuticals, the proper use of neuroimaging and emerging knowledge of brain function; the prevention of stigma in neurological and psychiatric illness; and the advancement of patient-based healthcare in an environment where resource are limited for chronic illnesses. Neuroethics is a new field focusing on the ethics of neuroscience research and related clinical fields. It represents an unprecedented opportunity to integrate healthcare specialties, neuroscience research, the humanities and the social sciences to tackle emerging challenges in neuroscience and patient care. Although the field of neuroethics is nascent, Canadian funding agencies like CIHR and Canadian researchers have been active participants in the creation of the first research groups dedicated to this area and are actively leading some international initiatives, including in publications (e.g., peer review journals, edited volumes, monographs), and in networking (e.g., professional societies and interest groups). In this context and to follow-up on the momentum gathered with the 2009 conference Brain matters: New directions in Neuroethics (hosted in Halifax), we feel the time is ripe to host an international conference in Montreal. Brain Matters II will help continue building capacity and dissemination activities in the ethics of neuroscience and healthcare and extend Montreal and Canada's leadership in neuroscience and ethics.