Looking Ahead: The Importance of Views, Values, and Voices in Neuroethics-Now

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Deep Brain Stimulation Think Tank: Advances in Cutting Edge Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Neuromodulation, Neuroethics, Pain, Interventional Psychiatry, Epilepsy, and Traumatic Brain Injury

DBS Think Tank IX was held on August 25-27, 2021 in Orlando FL with US based participants largely in person and overseas participants joining by video conferencing technology. The DBS Think Tank was founded in 2012 and provides an open platform where clinicians, engineers and researchers (from industry and academia) can freely discuss current and emerging deep brain stimulation (DBS) technologies as well as the logistical and ethical issues facing the field. The consensus among the DBS Think Tank IX speakers was that DBS expanded in its scope and has been applied to multiple brain disorders in an effort to modulate neural circuitry. After collectively sharing our experiences, it was estimated that globally more than 230,000 DBS devices have been implanted for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. As such, this year's meeting was focused on advances in the following areas: neuromodulation in Europe, Asia and Australia; cutting-edge technologies, neuroethics, interventional psychiatry, adaptive DBS, neuromodulation for pain, network neuromodulation for epilepsy and neuromodulation for traumatic brain injury.

The Emerging Neurobioeconomy: Implications for National Security

Neuroscience and neurotechnology (neuroS/T) are techniques and tools used to assess or affect the nervous system. Current and near-future developments are enabling an expanding palette of capabilities to understand and influence brain functions that can foster wellbeing and economic growth. This "neurobioeconomy" is rapidly growing, attributable in large part to the global dissemination of knowledge that fosters and contributes to scientific innovation, invention, and commercialization. As a result, several countries have initiated programs in brain research and innovation. Not all brain sciences engender security concerns, but a predominance in global biomedical, bioengineering, wellness/lifestyle, and defense markets enables considerable power. Such power can be leveraged in nonkinetic or kinetic domains, and several countries have identified neuroS/T as viable and of growing value for use in warfare, intelligence, and national security operations. In addition to the current focus on biotechnology, the United States and its allies must acknowledge the significance of brain science and its projected impact on the economy, national security, and lifestyles. In this article, we examine growth of the neuroS/T market, discuss how the neurobioeconomy poses distinct ethical and security issues for the broader bioeconomy, provide examples of such issues that arise from specific nation-state activity and technological commercialization, and propose a risk assessment and mitigation approach that can be engaged by the economic, scientific, and security communities.

Proceedings of the Sixth Deep Brain Stimulation Think Tank Modulation of Brain Networks and Application of Advanced Neuroimaging, Neurophysiology, and Optogenetics

The annual deep brain stimulation (DBS) Think Tank aims to create an opportunity for a multidisciplinary discussion in the field of neuromodulation to examine developments, opportunities and challenges in the field. The proceedings of the Sixth Annual Think Tank recapitulate progress in applications of neurotechnology, neurophysiology, and emerging techniques for the treatment of a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, cognitive disorders, and addiction. Each section of this overview provides insight about the understanding of neuromodulation for specific disease and discusses current challenges and future directions. This year’s report addresses key issues in implementing advanced neurophysiological techniques, evolving use of novel modulation techniques to deliver DBS, ans improved neuroimaging techniques. The proceedings also offer insights into the new era of brain network neuromodulation and connectomic DBS to define and target dysfunctional brain networks. The proceedings also focused on innovations in applications and understanding of adaptive DBS (closed-loop systems), the use and applications of optogenetics in the field of neurostimulation and the need to develop databases for DBS indications. Finally, updates on neuroethical, legal, social, and policy issues relevant to DBS research are discussed.