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Lyreskog DM, Zohny H, Savulescu J, Singh I. Merging Minds: The Conceptual and Ethical Impacts of Emerging Technologies for Collective Minds. NEUROETHICS-NETH 2023; 16:12. [PMID: 37009261 PMCID: PMC10050050 DOI: 10.1007/s12152-023-09516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
AbstractA growing number of technologies are currently being developed to improve and distribute thinking and decision-making. Rapid progress in brain-to-brain interfacing and swarming technologies promises to transform how we think about collective and collaborative cognitive tasks across domains, ranging from research to entertainment, and from therapeutics to military applications. As these tools continue to improve, we are prompted to monitor how they may affect our society on a broader level, but also how they may reshape our fundamental understanding of agency, responsibility, and other key concepts of our moral landscape.In this paper we take a closer look at this class of technologies – Technologies for Collective Minds – to see not only how their implementation may react with commonly held moral values, but also how they challenge our underlying concepts of what constitutes collective or individual agency. We argue that prominent contemporary frameworks for understanding collective agency and responsibility are insufficient in terms of accurately describing the relationships enabled by Technologies for Collective Minds, and that they therefore risk obstructing ethical analysis of the implementation of these technologies in society. We propose a more multidimensional approach to better understand this set of technologies, and to facilitate future research on the ethics of Technologies for Collective Minds.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Lyreskog
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Warneford Ln, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hazem Zohny
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Warneford Ln, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ilina Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Warneford Ln, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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2
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Valeriani D, Santoro F, Ienca M. The present and future of neural interfaces. Front Neurorobot 2022; 16:953968. [PMID: 36304780 PMCID: PMC9592849 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2022.953968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2020's decade will likely witness an unprecedented development and deployment of neurotechnologies for human rehabilitation, personalized use, and cognitive or other enhancement. New materials and algorithms are already enabling active brain monitoring and are allowing the development of biohybrid and neuromorphic systems that can adapt to the brain. Novel brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been proposed to tackle a variety of enhancement and therapeutic challenges, from improving decision-making to modulating mood disorders. While these BCIs have generally been developed in an open-loop modality to optimize their internal neural decoders, this decade will increasingly witness their validation in closed-loop systems that are able to continuously adapt to the user's mental states. Therefore, a proactive ethical approach is needed to ensure that these new technological developments go hand in hand with the development of a sound ethical framework. In this perspective article, we summarize recent developments in neural interfaces, ranging from neurohybrid synapses to closed-loop BCIs, and thereby identify the most promising macro-trends in BCI research, such as simulating vs. interfacing the brain, brain recording vs. brain stimulation, and hardware vs. software technology. Particular attention is devoted to central nervous system interfaces, especially those with application in healthcare and human enhancement. Finally, we critically assess the possible futures of neural interfacing and analyze the short- and long-term implications of such neurotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Santoro
- Institute for Biological Information Processing - Bioelectronics, IBI-3, Forschungszentrum Juelich, Juelich, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcello Ienca
- College of Humanities, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Marcello Ienca
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3
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Martini M, Kemper C. [Cybersecurity of brain-computer interfaces]. INTERNATIONAL CYBERSECURITY LAW REVIEW 2022; 3:191-243. [PMID: 37521509 PMCID: PMC8929247 DOI: 10.1365/s43439-022-00046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Brain-computer interfaces inspire visions of superhuman powers, enabling users to control protheses and other devices solely with their thoughts. But the rapid development and commercialization of this technology also brings security risks. Attacks on brain-computer interfaces may cause harrowing consequences for users, from eavesdropping on neurological data to manipulating brain activity. At present, data protection law, the regulation of medical devices, and the new rules on the sale of goods with digital elements all govern aspects of cybersecurity. There are, nevertheless, significant gaps. The article analyzes how the legal system currently addresses the risks of cyberattacks on brain-computer interfaces-and how policymakers could address such risks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Martini
- Deutsche Universität für Verwaltungswissenschaften (DUV), Speyer, Deutschland
- Deutsches Forschungsinstitut für öffentliche Verwaltung (FÖV), Speyer, Deutschland
| | - Carolin Kemper
- Deutsches Forschungsinstitut für öffentliche Verwaltung (FÖV), Speyer, Deutschland
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4
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Shlobin NA, Rosenow JM. Ethical Considerations in the Implantation of Neuromodulatory Devices. Neuromodulation 2022; 25:222-231. [PMID: 35125141 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neuromodulatory devices are increasingly used by neurosurgeons to manage a variety of chronic conditions. Given their potential benefits, it is imperative to create clear ethical guidelines for the use of these devices. We present a tiered ethical framework for neurosurgeon recommendations for the use of neuromodulatory devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a literature review to identify factors neurosurgeons should consider when choosing to offer a neuromodulatory device to a patient. RESULTS Neurosurgeons must weigh reductions in debilitating symptoms, improved functionality, and preserved quality of life against risks for intraoperative complications and adverse events due to stimulation or the device itself. Neurosurgeons must also evaluate whether patients and families will maintain responsibility for the management of neuromodulatory devices. Consideration of these factors should occur on an axis of resource allocation, ranging from provision of neuromodulatory devices to those with greatest potential benefit in resource-limited settings to provision of neuromodulatory devices to all patients with indications in contexts without resource limitations. Neurosurgeons must also take action to promote device effectiveness throughout the duration of care. CONCLUSIONS Weighing risks and benefits of providing neuromodulatory devices and assessing ability to remain responsible for the devices on the level of the individual patient indicate which patients are most likely to achieve benefit from these devices. Consideration of these factors on an axis of resource allocation will allow for optimal provision of neuromodulatory devices to patients in settings of varied resources. Neurosurgeons play a primary role in promoting the effectiveness of these devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Shlobin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Joshua M Rosenow
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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5
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Shlobin NA, Campbell JM, Rosenow JM, Rolston JD. Ethical considerations in the surgical and neuromodulatory treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 127:108524. [PMID: 34998267 PMCID: PMC10184316 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Surgical resection and neuromodulation are well-established treatments for those with medically refractory epilepsy. These treatments entail important ethical considerations beyond those which extend to the treatment of epilepsy generally. In this paper, the authors explore these unique considerations through a framework that relates foundational principles of bioethics to features of resective epilepsy surgery and neuromodulation. The authors conducted a literature review to identify ethical considerations for a variety of epilepsy surgery procedures and to examine how foundational principles in bioethics may inform treatment decisions. Healthcare providers should be cognizant of how an increased prevalence of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities, the dynamic nature of symptom burden over time, the individual and systemic barriers to treatment, and variable sociocultural contexts constitute important ethical considerations regarding the use of surgery or neuromodulation for the treatment of epilepsy. Moreover, careful attention should be paid to how resective epilepsy surgery and neuromodulation relate to notions of patient autonomy, safety and privacy, and the shared responsibility for device management and maintenance. A three-tiered approach-(1) gathering information and assessing the risks and benefits of different treatment options, (2) clear communication with patient or proxy with awareness of patient values and barriers to treatment, and (3) long-term decision maintenance through continued identification of gaps in understanding and provision of information-allows for optimal treatment of the individual person with epilepsy while minimizing disparities in epilepsy care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Shlobin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Justin M Campbell
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Joshua M Rosenow
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John D Rolston
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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A Cybersecure P300-Based Brain-to-Computer Interface against Noise-Based and Fake P300 Cyberattacks. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21248280. [PMID: 34960373 PMCID: PMC8709057 DOI: 10.3390/s21248280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
In a progressively interconnected world where the Internet of Things (IoT), ubiquitous computing, and artificial intelligence are leading to groundbreaking technology, cybersecurity remains an underdeveloped aspect. This is particularly alarming for brain-to-computer interfaces (BCIs), where hackers can threaten the user’s physical and psychological safety. In fact, standard algorithms currently employed in BCI systems are inadequate to deal with cyberattacks. In this paper, we propose a solution to improve the cybersecurity of BCI systems. As a case study, we focus on P300-based BCI systems using support vector machine (SVM) algorithms and EEG data. First, we verified that SVM algorithms are incapable of identifying hacking by simulating a set of cyberattacks using fake P300 signals and noise-based attacks. This was achieved by comparing the performance of several models when validated using real and hacked P300 datasets. Then, we implemented our solution to improve the cybersecurity of the system. The proposed solution is based on an EEG channel mixing approach to identify anomalies in the transmission channel due to hacking. Our study demonstrates that the proposed architecture can successfully identify 99.996% of simulated cyberattacks, implementing a dedicated counteraction that preserves most of BCI functions.
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7
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Marceglia S, Guidetti M, Harmsen IE, Loh A, Meoni S, Foffani G, Lozano AM, Volkmann J, Moro E, Priori A. Deep brain stimulation: is it time to change gears by closing the loop? J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34678794 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac3267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) is a form of invasive stimulation that was conceived to overcome the technical limitations of traditional DBS, which delivers continuous stimulation of the target structure without considering patients' symptoms or status in real-time. Instead, aDBS delivers on-demand, contingency-based stimulation. So far, aDBS has been tested in several neurological conditions, and will be soon extensively studied to translate it into clinical practice. However, an exhaustive description of technical aspects is still missing.Approach.in this topical review, we summarize the knowledge about the current (and future) aDBS approach and control algorithms to deliver the stimulation, as reference for a deeper undestending of aDBS model.Main results.We discuss the conceptual and functional model of aDBS, which is based on the sensing module (that assesses the feedback variable), the control module (which interpretes the variable and elaborates the new stimulation parameters), and the stimulation module (that controls the delivery of stimulation), considering both the historical perspective and the state-of-the-art of available biomarkers.Significance.aDBS modulates neuronal circuits based on clinically relevant biofeedback signals in real-time. First developed in the mid-2000s, many groups have worked on improving closed-loop DBS technology. The field is now at a point in conducting large-scale randomized clinical trials to translate aDBS into clinical practice. As we move towards implanting brain-computer interfaces in patients, it will be important to understand the technical aspects of aDBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Marceglia
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Guidetti
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy.,Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Irene E Harmsen
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron Loh
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Meoni
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy.,Movement Disorders Unit, Division of Neurology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, INSERM U1216, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Guglielmo Foffani
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jens Volkmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wurzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Moro
- Movement Disorders Unit, Division of Neurology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, INSERM U1216, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Alberto Priori
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy.,ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, 20142 Milan, Italy
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8
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Alves JL. Neurosurgery and the Philosophical Unknowns. World Neurosurg 2021; 152:24-25. [PMID: 34029762 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José Luís Alves
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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9
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Rahimpour S, Kiyani M, Hodges SE, Turner DA. Deep brain stimulation and electromagnetic interference. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 203:106577. [PMID: 33662743 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has evolved into an approved and efficacious treatment for movement, obsessive-compulsive, and epilepsy disorders that are refractory to medical therapy, with current investigation into other disease conditions. However, there are unintentional and intentional sources of external electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can lead to either malfunctioning or damaged DBS devices, as well as injury to human tissue. Comprehensive studies and guidelines on such topics in the medical literature are scarce. Herein, we review the principles behind EMI, as well as the various potential sources of interference, both unintentional (e.g. stray EMI fields) and intentional (e.g. MRI scans, "brainjacking"). Additionally, we employ the Manufacturer and User Device Facility Experience (MAUDE) database to assess real-world instances of EMI (e.g., airport body scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electrosurgery) affecting DBS devices commonly implanted in the United States (US).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Rahimpour
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Musa Kiyani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah E Hodges
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dennis A Turner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
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10
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Krauss JK, Lipsman N, Aziz T, Boutet A, Brown P, Chang JW, Davidson B, Grill WM, Hariz MI, Horn A, Schulder M, Mammis A, Tass PA, Volkmann J, Lozano AM. Technology of deep brain stimulation: current status and future directions. Nat Rev Neurol 2020; 17:75-87. [PMID: 33244188 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-00426-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that allows targeted circuit-based neuromodulation. DBS is a standard of care in Parkinson disease, essential tremor and dystonia, and is also under active investigation for other conditions linked to pathological circuitry, including major depressive disorder and Alzheimer disease. Modern DBS systems, borrowed from the cardiac field, consist of an intracranial electrode, an extension wire and a pulse generator, and have evolved slowly over the past two decades. Advances in engineering and imaging along with an improved understanding of brain disorders are poised to reshape how DBS is viewed and delivered to patients. Breakthroughs in electrode and battery designs, stimulation paradigms, closed-loop and on-demand stimulation, and sensing technologies are expected to enhance the efficacy and tolerability of DBS. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the technical development of DBS, from its origins to its future. Understanding the evolution of DBS technology helps put the currently available systems in perspective and allows us to predict the next major technological advances and hurdles in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim K Krauss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nir Lipsman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tipu Aziz
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexandre Boutet
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Brown
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jin Woo Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Benjamin Davidson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Warren M Grill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marwan I Hariz
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Umea, Umea, Sweden
| | - Andreas Horn
- Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation Section, Charité Medicine University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schulder
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonios Mammis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Peter A Tass
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jens Volkmann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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11
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Chari A, Budhdeo S, Sparks R, Barone DG, Marcus HJ, Pereira EAC, Tisdall MM. Brain-Machine Interfaces: The Role of the Neurosurgeon. World Neurosurg 2020; 146:140-147. [PMID: 33197630 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurotechnology is set to expand rapidly in the coming years as technological innovations in hardware and software are translated to the clinical setting. Given our unique access to patients with neurologic disorders, expertise with which to guide appropriate treatments, and technical skills to implant brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), neurosurgeons have a key role to play in the progress of this field. We outline the current state and key challenges in this rapidly advancing field, including implant technology, implant recipients, implantation methodology, implant function, and ethical, regulatory, and economic considerations. Our key message is to encourage the neurosurgical community to proactively engage in collaborating with other health care professionals, engineers, scientists, ethicists, and regulators in tackling these issues. By doing so, we will equip ourselves with the skills and expertise to drive the field forward and avoid being mere technicians in an industry driven by those around us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Chari
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sanjay Budhdeo
- Department for Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom; OwkinInc, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel Sparks
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Damiano G Barone
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hani J Marcus
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom; Wellcome EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erlick A C Pereira
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin M Tisdall
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Muñoz KA, Kostick K, Sanchez C, Kalwani L, Torgerson L, Hsu R, Sierra-Mercado D, Robinson JO, Outram S, Koenig BA, Pereira S, McGuire A, Zuk P, Lázaro-Muñoz G. Researcher Perspectives on Ethical Considerations in Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation Trials. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:578695. [PMID: 33281581 PMCID: PMC7689343 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.578695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interest and investment in closed-loop or adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) systems have quickly expanded due to this neurotechnology's potential to more safely and effectively treat refractory movement and psychiatric disorders compared to conventional DBS. A large neuroethics literature outlines potential ethical concerns about conventional DBS and aDBS systems. Few studies, however, have examined stakeholder perspectives about ethical issues in aDBS research and other next-generation DBS devices. To help fill this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with researchers involved in aDBS trials (n = 23) to gain insight into the most pressing ethical questions in aDBS research and any concerns about specific features of aDBS devices, including devices' ability to measure brain activity, automatically adjust stimulation, and store neural data. Using thematic content analysis, we identified 8 central themes in researcher responses. The need to measure and store neural data for aDBS raised concerns among researchers about data privacy and security issues (noted by 91% of researchers), including the avoidance of unintended or unwanted third-party access to data. Researchers reflected on the risks and safety (83%) of aDBS due to the experimental nature of automatically modulating then observing stimulation effects outside a controlled clinical setting and in relation to need for surgical battery changes. Researchers also stressed the importance of ensuring informed consent and adequate patient understanding (74%). Concerns related to automaticity and device programming (65%) were discussed, including current uncertainties about biomarker validity. Additionally, researchers discussed the potential impacts of automatic stimulation on patients' autonomy and control over stimulation (57%). Lastly, researchers discussed concerns related to patient selection (defining criteria for candidacy) (39%), challenges of ensuring post-trial access to care and device maintenance (39%), and potential effects on personality and identity (30%). To help address researcher concerns, we discuss the need to minimize cybersecurity vulnerabilities, advance biomarker validity, promote the balance of device control between patients and clinicians, and enhance ongoing informed consent. The findings from this study will help inform policies that will maximize the benefits and minimize potential harms of aDBS and other next-generation DBS devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina A. Muñoz
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kristin Kostick
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Clarissa Sanchez
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lavina Kalwani
- Department of Neuroscience, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Laura Torgerson
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rebecca Hsu
- Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Demetrio Sierra-Mercado
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Jill O. Robinson
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Simon Outram
- Program in Bioethics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Barbara A. Koenig
- Program in Bioethics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Stacey Pereira
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Amy McGuire
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Peter Zuk
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gabriel Lázaro-Muñoz
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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13
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Mazurek KA, Schieber MH. Injecting Information into the Mammalian Cortex: Progress, Challenges, and Promise. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:129-142. [PMID: 32648527 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420936253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
For 150 years artificial stimulation has been used to study the function of the nervous system. Such stimulation-whether electrical or optogenetic-eventually may be used in neuroprosthetic devices to replace lost sensory inputs and to otherwise introduce information into the nervous system. Efforts toward this goal can be classified broadly as either biomimetic or arbitrary. Biomimetic stimulation aims to mimic patterns of natural neural activity, so that the subject immediately experiences the artificial stimulation as if it were natural sensation. Arbitrary stimulation, in contrast, makes no attempt to mimic natural patterns of neural activity. Instead, different stimuli-at different locations and/or in different patterns-are assigned different meanings randomly. The subject's time and effort then are required to learn to interpret different stimuli, a process that engages the brain's inherent plasticity. Here we will examine progress in using artificial stimulation to inject information into the cerebral cortex and discuss the challenges for and the promise of future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Mazurek
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Marc H Schieber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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Desmoulin-Canselier S. DBS: a compelling example for ethical and legal reflection-a French perspective on ethical and legal concerns about DBS. Monash Bioeth Rev 2020; 38:15-34. [PMID: 32335863 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-020-00111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an approved treatment for neurological diseases and a promising one for psychiatric conditions, which may produce spectacular results very quickly. It is also a powerful tool for brain research and exploration. Beyond an overview of the ethical and legal literature on this topic, this paper aims at showing that DBS is a compelling example for ethical-legal reflection, as it combines a highly technical surgical procedure, a complex active medical device and neuromodulation of the human brain to restore lost abilities caused by a chronic and evolving disease. Some of the ethical and legal issues raised by DBS are not specific, but shed new light on medical ethics and law. Others are more DBS-specific, as they are linked to the intricacies of research and treatment, to the need to tune the device, to the patients' control over the device and its effects and to the involvement of family caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Desmoulin-Canselier
- NormaStim Program ANR14-CE30-0016, University of Nantes (UMR 6297 DCS), Nantes, France. .,Laboratoire Droit et Changement Social, UMR CNRS 6297: Faculté de Droit de Nantes, Chemin de la Censive du Tertre, BP 8130744 313, Nantes Cedex 3, France.
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15
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Varelius J. Can self-validating neuroenhancement be autonomous? MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2020; 23:51-59. [PMID: 31144095 PMCID: PMC7039850 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-019-09905-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Consider that an individual improves her capacities by neuroscientific means. It turns out that, besides altering her in the way(s) she intended, the enhancement also changes her personality in significant way(s) she did not foresee. Yet the person endorses her new self because the neuroenhancement she underwent changed her. Can the person's approval of her new personality be autonomous? While questions of autonomy have already gathered a significant amount of attention in philosophical literature on human enhancement, the problem just described-henceforth referred to as the question whether self-validating neuroenhancement can be autonomous-would not appear to have received due consideration. This article takes a step towards remedying the shortage. I start by explicating the main points of departure of its argument. In the subsequent sections of the article, I consider several possible reasons for deeming self-validating neuroenhancement incompatible with autonomy. On the basis of the consideration, I propose that self-validating neuroenhancement can be autonomous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Varelius
- Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History, and Political Science, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland.
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16
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Glannon W. Neuroscience, Law, and Ethics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2019; 65:101459. [PMID: 31280908 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
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