Stimulating brains, altering minds.
Deep-brain stimulation has been used to treat advanced Parkinson disease and other neurological and psychiatric disorders that have not responded to other treatments. While deep-brain stimulation can modulate overactive or underactive regions of the brain and thereby improve motor function, it can also cause changes in a patient's thought and personality. This paper discusses the trade-offs between the physiological benefit of this technique and the potential psychological harm.
Glannon
W
W
Department of Philosophy, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N1N4, Canada. wglannon@ucalgary.ca
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors