Archived Projects

Economic Analysis of Incidental Findings Research

Incidental findings are unexpected findings of clinical relevance found in research subjects. Institutions conducting neuroimaging research have several options for handling incidental findings which range from not notifying research subjects or following up on incidental findings to doing a full clinical workup of each subject. A team consisting of radiologist Dr. David Li, health economist Dr. Carlo Marra, Mohsen Sadatsafavi and the Core's Dr. Illes conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the different approaches to handling incidental findings.

Select Publications:

Sadatsafavi M, Marra C, Illes J. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: A cost-effectiveness analysis of incidentally detected aneurysms in functional MRI research, Value in Health 13(6):761-769 (2010).

Neuroscience and Law: Towards Evidence-Based Public Outreach

This study sought to understand the current state of media reporting on issues at the intersection of neuroscience and law, and to launch a discussion of the associated ethical issues in neuroscience communication. Our results provided a constructive starting point for advancing better communication and exchange about mental health and society, and laid the foundations for evidence-based outreach.

Select Publications:

Robillard JM, Illes J.  The diction of addiction at the intersection of law and neuroscience. In A Carter, W Hall and J Illes (Eds.), Addiction Neuroethics. Elsevier: San Diego (2011).

Dementia Research with Diverse Ethnocultural Populations: Exploring the Neuroethics Challenges

This research explored how diverse ethnocultural factors affect participation in dementia research, as well as how researchers take cultural and linguistic differences into consideration while designing protocols. We focused on three topics: (1) challenges in research design, (2) culturally appropriate informed consent documents, scientists’ views on methods of obtaining informed consent (verbal vs. written, proxy or community consent) and (3) recruitment practices.

This research initiative focused on the way in which a specific neurotechnology--pharmacological agents use as "cognitive enhancers"-- is currently implemented into culture and social practice.  The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Thomas Metzinger of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and consists of several projects including one led by Dr. Reiner at the Core called "International Neuroethics: Enhancement, Drugs and Devices".  The primary aim of this project was to better understand the attitudes of health professionals (nurses and physicians) towards neural enhancement and to determine the ethical principles which they rely upon for their decision-making.

Select Publications:

Banjo OC, Nadler, R, Reiner PB, Physician attitudes to cognitive enhancement: safety concerns are paramount. PLoS One 5(12):1-8 (2010). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014322

Neuroethics for British Columbia

Struck with the intent to tackle the ethical, social and policy considerations of frontier neurotechnology in British Columbia, the Neuroethics for British Columbia Team was established in April 2008. Since then, the team has worked hand-in-hand with practicing neuroscientists, clinical researchers, policy makers and all citizens of science in BC to ensure the close alignment of innovation with societal and individual human values in the realm of neuroethics. A key vehicle to achieve this goal have been presentations by senior members of the National Core for Neuorethics at the University of BC, University of Victoria, local colleges and various public venues. A conference of The Neuroethics of Addiction was held in April of 2009. 

PERSPECTIVES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS: NEUROETHICS IN CANADA

A report on the present landscape of neuroethics in Canada as seen through the lens of Canadian principals working in the field click here.

Privatized Imaging in Canada

The number of companies providing privatized imaging services in Canada is growing. Today, with a referral from one's family doctor, a patient can pay out of pocket to have an MRI, CT scan or PET scan done within two business days of the referral. What effect do these privatized imaging clinics have on public sector waiting lists? What are the ramifications of queue jumping? How will so-called spa medicine play out in Canada? Dr. Illes will: examine the current landscape of privatized imaging in Canada, explore the motivation behind privatization of this medical service and compare the results to trends in other countries.  Empirical analysis of the number of imaging centers, services they provide, costs and reporting procedures in Canada will yield answers to some of theses questions.

Click here to download a copy of the poster ‘Private Imaging for Brain Disorders’ by Patricia Lau and Judy Illes presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, 2008.

Ethics, Neuroimaging and Limited States of Consciousness Workshop, Stanford University

In June 2007, a multidisciplinary group of leaders in imaging, neurology and neuroethics came together at Stanford University, to discuss and deliver an ethics analysis of the emerging capabilities for imaging patients in vegetative states.

In response to what appeared to us to be an overwhelming need, a subset of the group developed an FAQ specifically oriented for families. It describes in simple language some of the basics of imaging, and what they should know and think about the state of the art of functional imaging in brain injury today. The goal is to achieve wide distribution of it on websites and by hard copy to imaging centers, neurologists, professional organizations, and advocacy. 

Click here for the FAQ sheet on imaging patients in Minimally Conscious States (MCS).