Researcher Views on Changes in Personality, Mood, and Behavior in Next-Generation Deep Brain Stimulation

The literature on deep brain stimulation (DBS) and adaptive DBS (aDBS) raises concerns that these technologies may affect personality, mood, and behavior. We conducted semi-structured interviews with researchers (  = 23) involved in developing next-generation DBS systems, exploring their perspective...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAJOB neuroscience p. 1
Main Authors Zuk, Peter, Sanchez, Clarissa E, Kostick-Quenet, Kristin, Muñoz, Katrina A, Kalwani, Lavina, Lavingia, Richa, Torgerson, Laura, Sierra-Mercado, Demetrio, Robinson, Jill O, Pereira, Stacey, Outram, Simon, Koenig, Barbara A, McGuire, Amy L, Lázaro-Muñoz, Gabriel
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 18.04.2022
Subjects
anger/impulsive behavior
personality changes
movement disorders
Neuroethics
deep brain stimulation
psychiatric disorders
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The literature on deep brain stimulation (DBS) and adaptive DBS (aDBS) raises concerns that these technologies may affect personality, mood, and behavior. We conducted semi-structured interviews with researchers (  = 23) involved in developing next-generation DBS systems, exploring their perspectives on ethics and policy topics including whether DBS/aDBS can cause such changes. The majority of researchers reported being aware of personality, mood, or behavioral (PMB) changes in recipients of DBS/aDBS. Researchers offered varying estimates of the frequency of PMB changes. A smaller majority reported changes in personality specifically. Some expressed reservations about the scientific status of the term 'personality,' while others used it freely. Most researchers discussed negative PMB changes, but a majority said that DBS/aDBS can also result in positive changes. Several researchers viewed positive PMB changes as part of the therapeutic goal in psychiatric applications of DBS/aDBS. Finally, several discussed potential causes of PMB changes other than the device itself.
ISSN:2150-7759