The pleasure shock : the rise of deep brain stimulation and its forgotten inventor

The technology invented by psychiatrist Robert G. Heath in the 1950s and '60s has been described as among the most controversial experiments in US history. His work was alleged at the time to be part of MKUltra, the CIA's notorious "mind control" project. His research subjects included incarcerated convicts and gay men who wished to be "cured" of their sexual preference. Yet his cutting-edge research and legacy were quickly buried deep in Tulane University's archives. Investigative science journalist Lone Frank now tells the complete sage of this passionate, determined doctor and his groundbreaking neuroscience. More than fifty years after Heath's experiments, this very same treatment is becoming mainstream practice in modern psychiatry for everything from schizophrenia, anorexia, and compulsive behavior to depression, Parkinson's, and even substance addiction. Lone Frank uncovered lost documents and accounts of Heath's trailblazing work. She tracked down surviving colleagues and patients, and she delved into the current support for deep brain stimulation by scientists and patients alike. What has changed? Why do we today unquestioningly embrace this technology as a cure? How do we decide what is a disease of the brain to be cured and what should be allowed to remain unrobed and unprodded? And how do we weigh the decades of criticism against the promise of treatment that could be offered to millions of patients? Elegantly written and deeply fascinating, The Pleasure Shock weaves together biography, scientific history, and medical ethics. It is an adventure into our ever-shifting views of the mind and the fateful power we wield when we tinker with the self.;1. Singing the brain electric -- 2. The second coming -- 3. Treat yourself -- 4. How happy is too happy? -- 5. The times they are a-changin' -- 6. The secret history of hedonia -- 7. A cure for violence -- 8. Dreams from DARPA -- 9. A grand mistake -- 10. The machine in the mind. An Assessment Of Tulane Psychiatrist Robert G. Heath's Brain-pacemaker Experiments Examines His Controversial Work, Allegedly Part Of The Cia's Notorious Mind Control Project, And Discusses How His Work Has Been Adapted As Mainstream Therapies For Mental Illness And Addiction. The Story Of A Medical Pioneer, His Fall, And His Haunting Legacy. The Technology Invented By Psychiatrist Robert G. Heath In The 1950s And '60s Has Been Described As Among The Most Controversial Experiments In Us History. His Work Was Alleged At The Time To Be Part Of Mkultra, The Cia's Notorious Mind Control Project. His Research Subjects Included Incarcerated Convicts And Gay Men Who Wished To Be Cured Of Their Sexual Preference. Yet His Cutting-edge Research And Legacy Were Quickly Buried Deep In Tulane University's Archives. Investigative Science Journalist Lone Frank Now Tells The Complete Saga Of This Passionate, Determined Doctor And His Groundbreaking Neuroscience. More Than Fifty Years After Heath's Experiments, This Very Same Treatment Is Becoming Mainstream Practice In Modern Psychiatry For Everything From Schizophrenia, Anorexia, And Compulsive Behavior To Depression. Parkinson's, And Even Substance Addiction. Lone Frank Uncovered Lost Documents And Accounts Of Heath's Trailblazing Work. She Tracked Down Surviving Colleagues And Patients, And She Delved Into The Current Support For Deep Brain Stimulation By Scientists And Patients Alike. What Has Changed? Why Do We Today Unquestioningly Embrace This Technology As A Cure? How Do We Decide What Is A Disease Of The Brain To Be Cured And What Should Be Allowed To Remain Unprobed And Unprodded? And How Do We Weigh The Decades Of Criticism Against The Promise Of Treatment That Could Be Offered To Millions Of Patients? Elegantly Written And Deeply Fascinating, The Pleasure Shock Weaves Together Biography, Scientific History, And Medical Ethics. It Is An Adventure Into Our Ever-shifting Views Of The Mind And The Fateful Power We Wield When We Tinker With The Self.--dust Jacket. Singing The Brain Electric -- The Second Coming -- Treat Yourself -- How Happy Is Too Happy? -- The Times They Are A-changin' -- The Secret History Of Hedonia -- A Cure For Violence -- Dreams From Darpa -- A Grand Mistake -- The Machine In The Mind. Lone Frank. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The electrifying, forgotten history of Robert Heath's brain pacemaker, investigating the origins and ethics of one of today's most promising medical breakthroughs: deep brain stimulation The technology invented by psychiatrist Robert G. Heath in the 1950s and '60s has been described as among the most controversial experiments in US history. His work was alleged at the time to be part of MKUltra, the CIA's notorious "mind control" project. His research subjects included incarcerated convicts and gay men who wished to be "cured" of their sexual preference. Yet his cutting-edge research and legacy were quickly buried deep in Tulane University's archives. Investigative science journalist Lone Frank now tells the complete sage of this passionate, determined doctor and his groundbreaking neuroscience. More than fifty years after Heath's experiments, this very same treatment is becoming mainstream practice in modern psychiatry for everything from schizophrenia, anorexia, and compulsive behavior to depression, Parkinson's, and even substance addiction. Lone Frank uncovered lost documents and accounts of Heath's trailblazing work. She tracked down surviving colleagues and patients, and she delved into the current support for deep brain stimulation by scientists and patients alike. What has changed? Why do we today unquestioningly embrace this technology as a cure? How do we decide what is a disease of the brain to be cured and what should be allowed to remain unprobed and unprodded? And how do we weigh the decades of criticism against the promise of treatment that could be offered to millions of patients? Elegantly written and deeply fascinating, The Pleasure Shock weaves together biography, scientific history, and medical ethics. It is an adventure into our ever-shifting views of the mind and the fateful power we wield when we tinker with the self. The technology invented by psychiatrist Robert G. Heath at Tulane University in the 1950s and '60s has been described as one of "the most controversial yet largely undocumented experiments in US history"--controversial to us because Heath's research subjects included incarcerated convicts and gay men who wished to be "cured" of their sexual preference; controversial in its day because his work was allegedly part of MKUltra, the CIA's notorious "mind control" project. As a result, Heath's cutting-edge research and legacy were put under lock and key, buried in Tulane's archives. The ethical issues raised by his work have also been buried: This very same experimental treatment is becoming mainstream practice in modern psychiatry for everything from schizophrenia, anorexia, and compulsive behavior to depression, aggression, anxiety, and even drug and alcohol addiction. In the first book to tell the full story, the award-winning science writer Lone Frank has uncovered lost documents and accounts of Heath's pioneering efforts. She has tracked down surviving colleagues and patients. And she has delved into the current embrace of deep brain stimulation by scientists and patients alike. What has changed? Why do we today unquestioningly embrace this technology as a cure? How do we decide what is a disease of the brain to be cured and what should be allowed to remain unprobed and unprodded? The Pleasure Shock weaves together biography, neuroscience, psychology, the history of science, and medical ethics to explore our views of the mind and the self. How do we decide whether changes to the brain are acceptable therapy or are simply bias and bigotry? The electrifying, forgotten history of Robert Heath's brain pacemaker, investigating the origins and ethics of one of today's most promising medical breakthroughs: deep brain stimulation The technology invented by psychiatrist Robert G. Heath at Tulane University in the 1950s and '60s has been described as one of "the most controversial yet largely undocumented experiments in US history"—controversial to us because Heath's research subjects included incarcerated convicts and gay men who wished to be "cured" of their sexual preference; controversial in its day because his work was allegedly part of MKUltra, the CIA's notorious "mind control" project. As a result, Heath's cutting-edge research and legacy were put under lock and key, buried in Tulane's archives. The ethical issues raised by his work have also been buried: This very same experimental treatment is becoming mainstream practice in modern psychiatry for everything from schizophrenia, anorexia, and...

The field of brain stimulation is expanding rapidly, with techniques such as DBS, TMS, and tDCS moving from the research community into clinical diagnosis and treatment. Clinical applications include treating disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and even depression.

The chapters of Brain Stimulation are written by leading international researchers and clinical specialists include coverage of techniques, modes of action and applications in physiology and therapeutics. The combination of research and clinical coverage will be of interest to neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and health care workers.

• A comprehensive introduction and overview of deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Coverage of DBS, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
• Details the basic science and research utility of DBS and clinical application

The field of brain stimulation is expanding rapidly, with techniques such as DBS, TMS, and tDCS moving from the research community into clinical diagnosis and treatment. Clinical applications include treating disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and even depression. The chapters of Brain Stimulation are written by leading international researchers and clinical specialists include coverage of techniques, modes of action and applications in physiology and therapeutics. The combination of research and clinical coverage will be of interest to neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and health care workers. A comprehensive introduction and overview of deep brain stimulation (DBS) Coverage of DBS, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) Details the basic science and research utility of DBS and clinical application A volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, which has an unparalleled reputation as the world's most comprehensive source of information in neurology. International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field. Describes the advances which have occurred in clinical neurology and the neurosciences, their impact on the understanding of neurological disorders and on patient care.A volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, which has an unparalleled reputation as the world's most comprehensive source of information in neurology. International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field. Describes the advances which have occurred in clinical neurology and the neurosciences, their impact on the understanding of neurological disorders and on patient care.