Science and Society in 2008

The rates of ADHD diagnosis have increased sharply in most countries around the world. This Perspective examines the current state of scientific research into ADHD and the key social and ethical concerns that are emerging from the use of stimulant drug treatments in children.

Magic tricks require the manipulation of the audience's attention and awareness. Macknik, Martinez-Conde and their magician co-authors describe the visual and cognitive illusions that underlie many magic tricks, and the techniques that magicians use to achieve these illusions. An interview with Martinez-Conde for Neuropod is available fordownload.

The effects of particular foods on brain function have long been suspected. Gómez-Pinilla discusses the mechanisms responsible for the action of nutrients on mental function and the potential of diet manipulations to promote mental fitness.

Tracey and Leknes review the emerging evidence of extensive similarities between the anatomical substrates and signalling systems that mediate painful and pleasant sensations. Understanding the relationship between these powerful modulators of behaviour could be important for alleviating unnecessary suffering and improving well-being.

Functional MRI has shown that aspects of cognitive and emotional processing and even conscious awareness might be retained in some patients who have been diagnosed as vegetative. Owen and Coleman discuss the clinical, legal and scientific implications of these findings.

Mounting evidence suggests that aerobic exercise improves cognitive function throughout the lifespan. In this article, Hillman and colleagues describe the latest research in humans and non-human animals and discuss the implications for our increasingly sedentary lifestyles.