Menda Francois 24 February 2009

Prof. Paul Grobestein Bio 202; Web Paper #1

Chronic migraines are a condition that cause "intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head" (6), and are often accompanied by other symptoms which include nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (6). The pain of a migraine can last from up to a couple of hours to several days, and greatly reduces daily productivity in those who suffer from them (6). The triggers and pain threshold differ among individuals, but all can agree that the experience is unpleasant (6). Often times those who suffer from migraines do not seek treatment, or stop taking medication because they feel as though they can handle the pain (9). However recent studies may indicate that migraines can have even more serious consequences beyond the pain.

What do you think of when you think of schizophrenia?  Many people will think of someone who has multiple personalities.  Well, while movies and popular culture might portray schizophrenia as having such a symptom, a “split personality” is not usually the case (2).  There are many other different aspects of the disease.

The culture of academia is a demanding and often times unforgiving one. It reflects the general cultural fixation on productivity, efficiency, and competition. Members of academia, particularly students at top-level universities, feel immense pressure to keep on top of their studies. This proves to be no easy task when assignments pile up and time runs thin. As a solution, students are increasingly turning to "study drugs" like Adderall and Ritalin. These prescription pills were developed to counter the effects of ADHD, but are being used for cognitive enhancement among unaffected individuals. This has sparked nationwide debate. The following lines attempt to understand the medications and explore the ethical nature of cognitive enhancement.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and an important secondary cause of death in many industrialized nations. In the United States, it is estimated that 2.4 million to 4.5 million people currently have AD (Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery). Although AD is still incurable, within the past decade, researchers have focused on music therapy as a beneficial palliative treatment for geriatric patients who have AD, as well as a variety of other neurologic disorders.