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CFP: Ethical Implications of DBS

By Adam Kolber

Our partner journal, Neuroethics, has issued the following call for papers.  Please direct inquiries to the issue's guest editor:

 

Call for Papers

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION

SPECIAL ISSUE OF SPRINGER?S JOURNAL NEUROETHICS

Guest Editor: Jens Clausen

 

Deep brain stimulation is a powerful treatment for motor symptoms in patients suffering from

end-stage Parkinson?s disease. On the one hand, many patients who had no medical option

left benefit enormously from this technological approach. On the other hand, the great power

of brain stimulation also causes side effects, which are sometimes severe. Weighing benefits

against risk is common in every medical intervention. What are the specific risks of DBS?

How should they be weighed against the benefits? Is there anything new in the ethics of this

technological intervention? What can be learned for the ethics of DBS from more familiar

brain interventions like pharmacological treatments?

 

For DBS electrodes are implanted into deep structures of the brain and stimulation has to be

functionally integrated into neuronal processes. How is the self-concept of the human being as

an embodied being influenced by the incorporation of technological devices into brain

processes? Does chronic stimulation of the brain affect autonomous decision-making? What

would be the consequences of acting under brain stimulation for holding someone responsible

for his/her action?

 

Although the exact mechanisms of how DBS works are not known, the great successes in

treating motor impairments encourage expanding DBS application to other diseases. Research

on DBS in psychiatric disorders including major depression and obsessive compulsive

disorder are well under way. Even Alzheimer?s, obesity, minimal conscious state and

alcoholism are under discussion as a target for DBS application. Further research directions

are expected. How should one address ethical requirements for the clinical research trials?

Further ideas concerning the ethical implications DBS could have (not mentioned here) are

very welcome. Submit your research online to this forthcoming special issue of Neuroethics!

? Length of the manuscript: approximately 6000 words

? Deadline for submission: 1 May 2010

? Notification of reviewing process: 15 July 2010

? Final Version: 15 August 2010

? Scheduled Publication: Early 2011

 

For further details and to meet the formal criteria for submission to Springer?s Neuroethics

Journal, it is strongly recommended to visit:

http://www.springer.com/philosophy/ethics/journal/12152

Full post as published by Neuroethics and Law on November 20, 2009 (boomark / email).