Is Deep Brain Stimulation a Form of Psychosurgery?

Abstract

Objective: To examine the potential for the experimental treatment of deep brain stimulation for neuropsychiatric disorders, and to debate the argument that it should be considered another form of psychosurgery.

Conclusions: Psychosurgery is an old term with considerable pejorative connotations. It should be replaced with the more descriptive and accurate ‘neurosurgery for psychiatric disorders’. Moreover, neurosurgery should reflect ablative neurosurgery, and surgery for brain stimulation should be categorised as brain stimulation rather than neurosurgery, or indeed psychosurgery. This will prevent legislative restrictions on the development of brain stimulation techniques and not tar them with the lobotomy brush.