The Ethics of Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

24 September 2015

Neuroethics
View Journal Article / Working Paper

There is preliminary evidence, from case reports and investigational studies, to suggest that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) could be used to treat some patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN).

Although this research is at an early stage, the invasive nature of the intervention and the vulnerability of the potential patients are such that anticipatory ethical analysis is warranted. In this paper, the authors first show how different treatment mechanisms raise different philosophical and ethical questions.

DOI: 10.1007/s12152-015-9240-9