Oleg Zabluda's blog
Friday, October 26, 2012
 
"When a Brain Scan Bears Bad News" from Science Magazine
"When a Brain Scan Bears Bad News" from Science Magazine
"""
Studies have shown that as many as 20% of MRI scans performed for research turn up things that seem abnormal but have nothing to do with the study. Called incidental findings (IFs), roughly 2% of these abnormalities require urgent medical attention. Neuroethicists have been publishing papers and convening working groups to develop clearer protocols for researchers dealing with IFs. On 18 October, 28 prominent neuroscientists, clinicians, ethicists, and lawyers gathered in Washington, D.C., to hash out new guidance as part of a working group sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other U.S. and Canadian agencies.
"""

Ridiculous.

If a Neuroethical Neuroscientist doesn't want to be my Neurodoctor, which I totally understand, since I don't even pay him (he pays me $40), just email me the the damn MRI (or share privately on G+). I will email it to my actual doctor, who will email it to India, where all radiologists seem to be these days, who will email back the diagnosis. If their research MRI quality is not up to production standards, attach the note saying as much, so that my doctor can tell me to get a better one, if needed. If nothing is found that seem abnormal, do the same.

I am not a prominent neuroscientist, clinician, ethicist, or lawyer, and was in Washington, D.C only a couple of times (last time in ~1998), but I solved it in 5 seconds. Send me the time and money I just saved for the esteemed group.

Next thing you know, the buttethicists will start publishing papers and convening working groups to develop clearer protocols to ban mirrors so that I can't stumble upon an incidental findings (IF) that my butt has an abnormality.

Where is the Death Panel cost-cutting when you need it?

Ridiculous. 

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338/6106/455.full
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338/6106/455.full

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