Dr Bradley Partridge
Email: b.partridge@uq.edu.au
Research Interests
Brad Partridge is an NHMRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow in
Public Health investigating the use of pharmaceuticals by healthy
people to enhance their cognition.
Brad's background is in psychology and his work focuses on: 1)
attitudes towards emerging areas of research and technology (e.g.
addiction genetics, biogerontology, neuroenhancement); and 2) the
public health and bioethical implications of such developments.
Brad completed his PhD at UQ in 2009 titled "Public Attitudes
Towards Ethical Issues Raised by Biotechnologies that may
Substantially Extend Human Life" http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:183814
In 2009/10 he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the
Bioethics Research Unit at Mayo Clinic (Minnesota, USA). While at
Mayo he conducted qualitative interviews with addiction patients
about their understanding of a genetic contribution to addiction,
as part of a NIDA funded project titled: "Translating Addiction
Genomics into Clinical Practice: Examining Ethics &
Policy". Brad also has an interest in ethical issues related
to sport including the use of performance enhancing drugs
(doping).
Research Projects
Neuroenhancement is the use of pharmaceuticals and other
substances by "healthy" people (that is, people without any
disease, or disorder) for the purpose of augmenting their normal
cognitive or affective function by improving attention span,
memory, executive function, intelligence, mood, or
sociability. Approved pharmaceuticals that are thought to
achieve some of these goals include modafinil, methylphenidate, and
SSRIs. My research explores attitudes towards neuroenhancement,
particularly among key target groups such as university students,
health professionals, academics, and members of the public. This
information is essential to inform policies, and medical practice,
in the use of pharmaceuticals for neuroenhancement purposes.
This research aims to answer the following key questions:
1. To what extent are members of these target groups aware
of the potential for neuroenhancement and how do they view the
practice?
2. What outcomes do they expect from the use of
pharmaceuticals and other substances for neuroenhancement, and what
benefits and risks do they see for individuals and for society in
general?
3. To what extent are members of these target groups
concerned about potential ethical issues surrounding the practice
of neuroenhancement, and how do they feel any ethical issues should
be resolved?
4. How do members of these target groups believe the
practice of neuroenhancement should be regulated, and what role do
they think health professionals should play in
neuroenhancement?
5. Among people who engage in neuroenhancement:
a. Which pharmaceuticals/substances are used for
neuroenhancement purposes and which aspects of functioning do
people most often seek to enhance; why, and in which
circumstances?
b. How are pharmaceuticals obtained for neuroenhancement
purposes (e.g. Internet; prescription; peers or other non-medical
source)?
Key Publications
Lucke, J.C., Bell, S., Partridge, B., and Hall,
W.D. (in press) Deflating the neuroenhancement bubble. AJOB
Neuroscience. (Accepted 5th March 2011).
Lucke, J.C., Bell, S., Partridge, B., and Hall,
W.D. (2011) Academic doping or Viagra for the brain? EMBO
Reports. 12, 3, 197-201.
Partridge, B., Lucke, J., Bartlett, H., and
Hall, W. (2011) Public attitudes towards human life-extension
by intervening in ageing. Journal of Aging Studies.
25, 2, 73-83.
Partridge, B., Lucke, J., and Hall, W. (2010)
Listening to public concerns about human life-extension.
EMBO Reports. 11, 10, 735-737.
Partridge, B., Underwood, M., Lucke, J.,
Bartlett, H. and Hall, W. (2009) Ethical concerns in the community
about technologies to extend human life span. American Journal
of Bioethics. 9, 12, 68-76.
Contact Details and Email
Dr. Brad Partridge
NHMRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
UQ Centre for Clinical Research | The University of
Queensland|
Building 71/918 | Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Site |
Herston, Qld, 4029 | Australia
T +61 7 3346 5476 |
F +61 7
3346 5598 | E b.partridge@uq.edu.au |
