We have seen electronic devices implanted in several
locations of the body to aid in organ function(s). Just to name a few: cochlear
implants to help with hearing, pacemaker to help control electrical rhythm of
the heart, and an insulin pump to help with the delivery of insulin for
diabetic individuals.
What if our mood can be manipulated as well with the help of electronic
devices?
In recent news, the US military’s research agency
known as Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has funded a group
and have begun preliminary trials to treat mental illness such as depression
and post-traumatic stress disorder in human subjects using an electronic device
(Holtzheimer et al., 2017). The electronic device is implanted by a
neurosurgeon through a surgical procedure known as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
and another device, housing the battery and other electrical components, are
implanted under the clavicle (Parastarfeizabadi & Kouzani, 2017). These
electrodes deliver electrical pulses on certain areas of the brain acting as
artificial neurons (transmitting action potentials resulting in the release of
neurotransmitters).
The study funded by DARPA is investigating a
“closed-loop” system of DBS which uses a sensor while an “open-loop” DBS lacks
a sensor (Parastarfeizabadi & Kouzani, 2017). The sensor monitors the brain
allowing the device to be operated efficiently (stimulating the region of the
brain during specified state or time), while the “open-loop” system continually
remains stimulatory regardless of the state of the brain and must be manually
programmed (Parastarfeizabadi & Kouzani, 2017). The procedure has been
successful in treating Parkinson’s disease (neurodegenerative disease
specifically affecting the midbrain); however, mood disorders have been least
successful with this procedure until now. The DARPA-funded teams have
successfully generated algorithms to interpret patterns associated with mood
disorders based on brain activity providing electrical pulses when needed (Holtzheimer
et al., 2017).
There are many concerns and challenges associated with
DBS procedure such as the possibility of developing adverse effects from
overstimulation or over-correcting the mood, accessing a subject’s mood from their
brain activity, the short battery life (average 3-5 years) of the device, and
the possibility of the device malfunctioning. As technologies improve and more data
concerning the use of DBS grows, there will be better treatment options for
individuals with mental illnesses.
References:
Holtzheimer, P.E., Husain, M.M., Lisanby, S.H., Taylor, S. F.,
Whitworth, L. A., McClintock, S., Slavin, K.V…….. (2017). Subcallosal cingulate
deep brain stimulation for treatment resistant depression: a multisite,
randomized, sham-controlled trail. The Lancet Psychiatry. 4(11) 839-849.
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ReplyDeleteI found another method of stimulating nerves to help TBI and mental illness. Instead of implanting a device, this uses magnets to induce an electrical current in certain areas of a patient's brain. Trans-cranial magnetic stimulation may not be able to target specific brain regions as accurately, but it is much less invasive.
ReplyDeleteIt will also have similar ethical dilemmas such as over stimulation and the possibility of controlling a person's emotions especially if it is more accessible due to the noninvasive nature of the magnetic stimulation.
Riet, J. V. (2012). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of depression. Http://isrctn.org/>. doi:10.1186/isrctn13548185
This blows my mind to think that there are devices that are being made to act as artificial neurons. I think that its great that it has been shown to improve with diseases like Parkinson's but I wonder where the line is ethically. For patients with mood disorders, they struggle with constant mood changes and having some foreign device implanted in their body might cause more harm than good. It also brings up the issue, for me at least, of autonomy. If something was able to have an effect on my brain and how I act, I would begin to wonder if the device is controlling me or if I am. (Getting a little out there, I apologize).
ReplyDeleteThen again, this is something that patients with mental illness' fight on a daily basis with taking medications. As always, more research needs to be done but it looks promising!
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ReplyDeleteCurrent methods for controlling your mental state involve taking a concoctions of substances. So why not go directly to the source: the brain. While the use of brain implants for treating PTSD and depression might by appealing- the idea of direct brain alteration seems dystopian. I can't help to thing of the ethical implications of these implants. You could create your own reality, instead of having your emotions be subject to the external world around you. However, one may argue that this is no more different than alcohol or drug substances. Ultimately, mental health illnesses can be extremely debilitating, and treatment options are highly dependent on the individual. For that reason, research and development of a wide range of treatments is essential.
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