Deep Brain Stimulation is an experimental technique for the treatment of psychiatric disorders in which electrodes are implanted deep in the brain that modulate electrically brain networks. The department of psychiatry at the AMC has over 25 years experience in applying DBS for treatment of psychiatric disorders: OCD, Major Depression, Anorexia, and Addictive Disorders. As of yet the AMC has the largest population of patients implanted – currently more than 150-200 patients. Much of the philosophical discussion of DBS has been carried out in the absense of any clinical experience with the use of DBS for the treatment of severe refractory mental illness.
The aim of this project will be to bring our extensive clinical and professional experience to address ethical questions that arise from inside of clinical practice with DBS such as what to do if a patient experiences happiness as a result of stimulation but their illness doesn’t improve.
Publications:
Kiverstein, E. Rietveld & D. Denys (2021). World Wide Open. How Deep Brain Stimulation Changes a Person’s Sense of Confidence. Aeon
https://aeon.co/essays/how-deep-brain-stimulation-changes-a-persons-sense-of-confidence
Denys & J. Kiverstein (In progress). The Ethics of Deep Brain Stimulation: Clinical Dilemmas.