Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery is a form of neurosurgery that involves the destruction of specific regions of the brain to treat mental disorders. It is a controversial treatment and is used as a last resort when other treatments have failed.

History

Psychosurgery has a long history, with the first procedures being performed in the early 20th century. The most well-known form of psychosurgery is the lobotomy, which was popularized by António Egas Moniz in the 1930s. However, the use of lobotomies declined significantly in the 1950s due to the development of antipsychotic medication and concerns about the procedure's effectiveness and ethics.

Types of Psychosurgery

There are several types of psychosurgery, including the lobotomy, cingulotomy, capsulotomy, subcaudate tractotomy, and limbic leucotomy. Each of these procedures targets a different part of the brain and is used to treat different mental disorders.

Effectiveness and Risks

The effectiveness of psychosurgery is a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies have found that it can be effective in treating severe mental disorders, but others have found that it has little to no effect. There are also significant risks associated with psychosurgery, including brain damage, personality changes, and cognitive impairment.

Ethical Considerations

There are many ethical considerations associated with psychosurgery. These include the potential for abuse, the lack of informed consent, and the irreversible nature of the procedure. Many people believe that psychosurgery should only be used as a last resort, if at all.

See Also

• Neurosurgery
• Mental disorder
• Lobotomy
• António Egas Moniz
• Antipsychotic medication
• Cingulotomy
• Capsulotomy
• Subcaudate tractotomy
• Limbic leucotomy
• Brain damage
• Personality changes
• Cognitive impairment

Psychosurgery Resources
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