Dr. Robert G. Heath: a controversial figure in the history of deep brain stimulation.
Christen M O'Neal, Cordell M Baker, Chad A. Glenn, Andrew K. Conner, Michael E. Sughrue
Neurosurgical focus September 2017 DOI: 10.3171/2017.6.focus17252 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | EEG = Electroencephalography Robert g. heath Deep brain stimulation Ethics Functional Lobotomy Psychosurgery |
| Key points | Argues that Dr. Robert G. Heath's controversial deep-brain electrode research, including electrical stimulation aimed at curing schizophrenia and conversion therapy in a homosexual man, is often left out of DBS history, and that examining it invites reflection on the ethics of current neurosurgical practice while distinguishing modern DBS from these origins. |
Abstract
The history of psychosurgery is filled with tales of researchers pushing the boundaries of science and ethics. These stories often create a dark historical framework for some of the most important medical and surgical advancements. Dr. Robert G. Heath, a board-certified neurologist, psychiatrist, and psychoanalyst, holds a debated position within this framework and is most notably remembered for his research on schizophrenia. Dr. Heath was one of the first physicians to implant electrodes in deep cortical structures as a psychosurgical intervention. He used electrical stimulation in an attempt to cure patients with schizophrenia and as a method of conversion therapy in a homosexual man. This research was highly controversial, even prior to the implementation of current ethics standards for clinical research and often goes unmentioned within the historical narrative of deep brain stimulation (DBS). While distinction between the modern practice of DBS and its controversial origins is necessary, it is important to examine Dr. Heath's work as it allows for reflection on current neurosurgical practices and questioning the ethical implication of these advancements.