Psychosurgery

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Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery (pronounced: psy·cho·sur·gery, /ˌsaɪkoʊˈsɜːrdʒəri/) is a term that refers to the surgical intervention on the brain to treat mental disorders. The term is derived from the Greek words psyche meaning mind, and surgery meaning hand work.

History

The concept of psychosurgery has its roots in the early 20th century, with the first procedures being performed by Egas Moniz, a Portuguese neurologist. Moniz developed the lobotomy, a procedure that involved severing connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe. This procedure was later replaced by more refined techniques as the understanding of brain function evolved.

Types of Psychosurgery

There are several types of psychosurgery, including:

  • Lobotomy: This is the most well-known and controversial type of psychosurgery. It involves severing connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe.
  • Cingulotomy: This procedure involves lesioning the cingulate gyrus, a part of the brain involved in emotion formation and processing.
  • Capsulotomy: This procedure involves lesioning the internal capsule, a part of the brain involved in transmitting pain and sensory information.
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): This is a more modern form of psychosurgery that involves implanting a device to stimulate specific areas of the brain.

Indications and Controversies

Psychosurgery is typically considered a last resort treatment for severe mental disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) that have not responded to other treatments. However, the use of psychosurgery is controversial due to the potential for serious side effects, including personality changes and cognitive impairment.

See Also

References


External links

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