• Technology

• Health

• Environment

• Project Co-ordinator: Dr. phil. Thorsten Galert, M.A.

• Duration: 10/08–9/11

• Funding: Volkswagen Stiftung, Hannover

• Further Information on “Brain Research/Neuroscience”

In recent years, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been studied in the treatment of different kinds of psychiatric disorders. Efficacy data are still uncertain, but initial results are promising. However, attempts to use DBS in psychiatry are subject to a high degree of scrutiny because they are seen by many as an unwelcome resurgence of psychosurgery. Although some of these fears may clearly be dispelled since they pertain to obsolete neurosurgical methods, there are other concerns related to the use of DBS in psychiatry deserving of careful consideration.
The aim of this project is to examine in which way recognized standards of research and practice in psychiatry need to be modified in order to account for the special requirements of DBS. Issues of particular interest include the selection of research subjects and patients, the requirements to be met by investigational protocols, the process of obtaining informed consent in clinical research and practice, the safeguarding of patients’ autonomy, and the assessment of long-term side-effects.
The project group is composed of leading international experts from the relevant clinical disciplines neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology and neuropsychology as well as experts in medical law and ethics. Their goal is to reach a consensus on the required ethical and methodological standards and, thus, to give guidance for responsible research and application of DBS in psychiatry.

Brain Research/Neuroscience