The

brain represents the final frontier in medical sciences. Clinical

neurosciences include the subspecialties of neurology, neurosurgery,

neuro-imaging, cerebrovascular interventional specialties, neurocritical

care, and the allied specialties in pharmacy and nursing. The first

lens through which we see our patients is the clinical perspective;

however, the complexity of neurosciences and the rapidity of the

advances in these subspecialties require that clinicians not lose sight

of the personhood of the patients, the professionalism required in the

care of these complex patients, or the regulatory environment in which

we practice. Science and technology are advancing more rapidly than

regulations or the law can interpret and integrate them into a

supportive or regulatory framework. Thus, morality, ethics, and the law

comprise the final lens through which we approach complex patient

management issues, frame our communications with patients and families,

and evaluate the risks and potential benefits of new technology.

is written for all clinicians in the neurosciences specialties to

examine and re-examine the ethical and legal implications of advances in

clinical neurosciences.