TMS and Neuroethics

As transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) continues to expand from a tool of neuroscience research into a growing array of clinical applications, it presents a number of open questions that both invite and complicate ethical evaluation. Empirically supported concerns remain regarding interactions between TMS and psychiatric medications or other interventions, the potential for adverse effects in stimulated brain regions, and whether modulation of brain activity particularly via changes in oscillatory states might affect aspects of personhood.
This volume explores the ethical landscape surrounding TMS in both research and clinical settings. Prior neuroethics literature has largely focused on theoretical implications of neurostimulation technologies, including conceptual clarification (e.g., invasiveness) and normative questions regarding the alignment of these technologies with societal values. However, while some empirical work has captured perspectives from TMS patients, many key voices such as those of family members, clinicians, and underrepresented communities have remained absent from scholarly discussions.
Spanning historical reflection, theoretical debate, empirical analysis, and clinical insight, this collection features contributions from scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of neuroethics, neuroscience, psychiatry, and biomedical engineering. Part I of the volume offers historical and theoretical reflections, including the origins and growth of TMS research, racial disparities in access and participation, caregiver perspectives, and emerging issues related to cognitive enhancement, non-clinical use, and applications in social neuroscience and creativity. Part II turns to new directions and ethical issues in clinical TMS research, addressing treatment subgrouping, adolescent and geriatric use, mood and substance use disorders, suicidality, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
Together, these chapters provide an interdisciplinary examination of the ethical, clinical, and societal dimensions of TMS. Whether as an introduction to the neuroethics of brain stimulation or as a resource for neuroscientists, clinicians, engineers, and ethicists, this volume aims to foster greater understanding and dialogue around the responsible development and application of TMS.

List of contents

1. An Introduction to TMS and Neuroethics.- Part I. Historical and Philosophical Reflections regarding TMS.- 2. A History of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.- 3. Racial Disparities in rTMS Research Participation and Clinical Access in the U.S.- 4. Family and Caregiver Perspectives on TMS Treatment of Refractory Conditions: A Pilot Investigation.- 5. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Cognitive Enhancement: Present State and Possibilities for the Near Future.- 6. Unravelling Ethical Complexities: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Non-clinical Settings and the Dilemmas of Neuroenhancement.- 7. TMS for social neuroscience: New applications and ethical issues.- 8. "Bridging Network Neuroscience and Neuroethics: Can TMS and tACS Solve the Creativity Crisis?".- Part II. New directions and ethical issues in clinical TMS research.- 9. Subgrouping Treatment Responders : Ethical Implications for Those Seeking Participation in TMS Treatment and/or Research.- 10. TMS for mood disorders an ethical perspective.- 11. The fewer pills the better : Attitudes towards Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depressed Adolescents.- 12. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Older Adults.- 13. The Ethics of TMS in the Treatment of Suicidal Ideation.- 14. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Substance Use Disorders: Ethical Considerations.- 15. Regulatory Perspectives on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

About the author

Dr. Veljko Dubljević is a University Faculty Scholar and Professor at NC State University, where he leads the NeuroComputational Ethics Research Group. He is the Editor in Chief of American Journal of Bioethics - Neuroscience, series co-editor for "Advances in Neuroethics," and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Neuroethics Society. He is a prolific author in Neuroethics and Ethics of AI, having published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, and four books.
Dr. Jonathan Young is a Medical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, Faculty Network Member at Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, and Staff Psychiatrist at the Durham VA Health Care System. He serves as Section Editor for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation at WikiStim.org and leads VA-funded research on personalized and accelerated TMS for smoking cessation in veterans with PTSD.

Summary

As transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) continues to expand from a tool of neuroscience research into a growing array of clinical applications, it presents a number of open questions that both invite and complicate ethical evaluation. Empirically supported concerns remain regarding interactions between TMS and psychiatric medications or other interventions, the potential for adverse effects in stimulated brain regions, and whether modulation of brain activity—particularly via changes in oscillatory states—might affect aspects of personhood.
This volume explores the ethical landscape surrounding TMS in both research and clinical settings. Prior neuroethics literature has largely focused on theoretical implications of neurostimulation technologies, including conceptual clarification (e.g., invasiveness) and normative questions regarding the alignment of these technologies with societal values. However, while some empirical work has captured perspectives from TMS patients, many key voices—such as those of family members, clinicians, and underrepresented communities—have remained absent from scholarly discussions.
Spanning historical reflection, theoretical debate, empirical analysis, and clinical insight, this collection features contributions from scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of neuroethics, neuroscience, psychiatry, and biomedical engineering. Part I of the volume offers historical and theoretical reflections, including the origins and growth of TMS research, racial disparities in access and participation, caregiver perspectives, and emerging issues related to cognitive enhancement, non-clinical use, and applications in social neuroscience and creativity. Part II turns to new directions and ethical issues in clinical TMS research, addressing treatment subgrouping, adolescent and geriatric use, mood and substance use disorders, suicidality, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
Together, these chapters provide an interdisciplinary examination of the ethical, clinical, and societal dimensions of TMS. Whether as an introduction to the neuroethics of brain stimulation or as a resource for neuroscientists, clinicians, engineers, and ethicists, this volume aims to foster greater understanding and dialogue around the responsible development and application of TMS.

Product details

• Assisted by: Veljko Dubljevic (Editor), R Young (Editor), Jonathan R. Young (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 24.07.2025
• EAN: 9783031924002
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3192400-2
• No. of pages: 265
• Illustrations: VI, 265 p. 4 illus., 3 illus. in color.
• Series: Advances in Neuroethics
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Clinical medicine; Philosophie, Psychiatrie, Neurowissenschaften, Research, Applications, Medizinethik, Standesregeln, Neurology, Philosophy, Neuroscience, computer science, Psychiatry, Medical Ethics, Informatics, conference proceedings