Introduction: Public perceptions of neurotechnologies—including deep brain stimulation (DBS)—as risky, invasive, and potentially identity-altering may impact uptake of these technologies and contribute to disparities in patients eligible for these interventions.
Methods: We investigated the U.S. public’s attitudes toward several neurotechnologies as potential treatments to a person experiencing severe mood, memory, or motor symptoms. Participants (N=1052) were stratified to be nationally representative based on sex, race, age, and were asked about their perceptions of risk, benefit, invasiveness, acceptability, perceived change to the person, familiarity with these technologies, and personal interest in using these neurotechnologies for symptom alleviation.
Results: We found that individuals viewed DBS as riskier and more invasive than other technologies we examined (i.e., MRI-guided FUS, TMS, and medications). The DBS network revealed their views on both the acceptability of DBS use by others and the likelihood of using it themselves were inversely related to their perceptions of risk, invasiveness, and the potential for the technology to “change who they are as a person.” However, familiarity with DBS and potential benefits of DBS were positively associated with interest in using this technology after controlling for all other variables in the network. Finally, we note that the predictability of nodes representing acceptability and interest in DBS are .63 and .55, respectively; suggesting there are relationships with key variables not captured by this model.
Conclusion : Our results suggest the public views DBS as risky, invasive, and potentially able to alter who they are compared to other interventions examined. These views are associated with decreased willingness to use DBS. Given the relationship between willingness to use and level of familiarity with the technology, public educational programs surrounding novel neurotechnologies and their benefits may help inform potential users, ease some concerns, and influence uptake of this technology among those who may benefit.
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