Electrodes in the brain—Ethical criteria for research and treatment with deep brain stimulation for neuropsychiatric disorders

• Main Authors: Matthis Synofzik, Thomas E. Schlaepfer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2011-01-01
• Series: Brain Stimulation
• Subjects: deep brain stimulation; neuroethics; major depression
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X10000203

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for neuropsychiatric disorders in clinical and research settings for almost 50 years now. Recent evidence demonstrates some efficacy in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depression in patients refractory to other treatment modalities beyond single case reports. This has led to a considerable surge of clinical and commercial interest in DBS for psychiatric indications. Because of the high vulnerability of psychiatric patients, the lack of extensive short- and long-term data about effectiveness and the rapid spread of questionable indications this new field in psychiatry requires ethical criteria that can be applied to both research and clinical decision-making. Objective and Methods: We here present an evidence-based systematic ethical analysis of psychiatric DBS using the criteria of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and autonomy. Results and Conclusions: The proposed criteria are helpful in analyzing empirical evidence, informing research investigations and guiding clinical decision-making. This will prepare the ground for ethically justified, empirically comprehensive DBS in this highly vulnerable population and allow stringent future societal discussions about its legitimation.