History of psychosurgery

An overview of the history of psychosurgery, focusing on the development and impact of lobotomy.

History of Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery refers to surgical operations that aim to treat mental disorders by altering brain function. The history of psychosurgery is marked by both innovation and controversy, particularly surrounding the procedure known as lobotomy.

Early Developments

The concept of altering the brain to affect behavior dates back to ancient times, but modern psychosurgery began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early attempts were rudimentary and often based on limited understanding of brain function.

The Rise of Lobotomy

A demonstration of the lobotomy procedure in 1949.

Lobotomy, also known as leucotomy, was developed in the 1930s by Portuguese neurologist António Egas Moniz. The procedure involved severing connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex. Moniz believed that this could alleviate symptoms of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.

The technique gained popularity after Walter Freeman, an American neurologist, modified the procedure to create the "transorbital lobotomy," which could be performed quickly and without the need for a neurosurgeon. Freeman's method involved inserting an instrument similar to an ice pick through the eye socket to reach the brain.

Controversy and Decline

Lobotomy was widely used in the 1940s and 1950s, with thousands of patients undergoing the procedure. However, it soon became controversial due to its often severe side effects, which included personality changes, cognitive deficits, and in some cases, death.

The development of antipsychotic medications in the 1950s provided alternative treatments for mental illness, leading to a decline in the use of lobotomy. By the 1970s, the procedure was largely abandoned in favor of less invasive and more effective treatments.

Modern Psychosurgery

Today, psychosurgery is rarely performed and is subject to strict ethical guidelines. Modern techniques, such as deep brain stimulation, offer more precise and reversible options for treating certain neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Related Pages

• António Egas Moniz
• Walter Freeman
• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Antipsychotic
• Deep brain stimulation