Anthropology of Deep Brain Stimulation; the 30th Anniversary of STN DBS in 2023

BACKGROUND: The year 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This procedure prompted a universal interest in DBS for various brain disorders and resulted in a unique expansion of clinical and scientific collaboration between many disciplines, with impact on many aspects of society. OBJECTIVE: To study the anthropology of DBS, that is, its ethno‐geographic origins, its evolution, its impact on clinicians and scientists, and its influence on society at large. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors scrutinized the geo‐ethnic origins of the pioneers of modern DBS, and they evaluated, based on the literature and on a long‐term praxis, the development of DBS and its impact on clinicians, on healthcare, and on society. RESULTS: Scientists and clinicians from various geo‐ethnic origins pioneered modern DBS, leading to worldwide spread of this procedure and to the establishment of large multidisciplinary teams in many centers. Neurologists became actively involved in surgery and took on new laborious tasks of programming ever more complicated DBS systems. Publications sky‐rocketed and the global spread of DBS impacted positively on several aspects of society, including healthcare, awareness of neurological diseases, interdisciplinary relations, conferences, patient organizations, unemployment, industry, etc. CONCLUSIONS: STN DBS has boosted the field of deep brain electrotherapy for many neurological and psychiatric illnesses, and DBS has generated a global benefit on many aspects of society, well beyond its clinical benefits on symptoms of diseases. With the ever‐increasing indications for DBS, more positive global impact is expected.