What is Lobotomy
Definition
Psycho-surgery involves severing or otherwise disabling areas of the brain to treat personality disorder, behavior disorder, or other mental illness. Modern psycho surgical techniques target the pathways between the limbic system, that is believed to regulate emotions, and the frontal cortex, where thoughts processes are seated.
Psycho-surgery involves severing or otherwise disabling areas of the brain to treat personality disorder, behavior disorder, or other mental illness. Modern psycho surgical techniques target the pathways between the limbic system, that is believed to regulate emotions, and the frontal cortex, where thoughts processes are seated.
Psychologists
Antonio Egas Moniz - In 1935, Portuguese neurologist who performed a brain operation in a Lisbon hospital, this was the first-ever modern leucotomy to treat mental illness, which involved drilling holes in his patient's skull to access the brain.
Walter Freeman - 1963, psychiatrist Walter Freeman and another neurosurgeon performed the first U.S. prefrontal lobotomy on a Kansas housewife.
Antonio Egas Moniz - In 1935, Portuguese neurologist who performed a brain operation in a Lisbon hospital, this was the first-ever modern leucotomy to treat mental illness, which involved drilling holes in his patient's skull to access the brain.
Walter Freeman - 1963, psychiatrist Walter Freeman and another neurosurgeon performed the first U.S. prefrontal lobotomy on a Kansas housewife.
Famous accounts/procedures
Phineas Gage- the account of Phineas Gage was a tragic accident that resulted in the start of a new psychological/medical study and practices.
Phineas Gage was a railroad foreman in Vermont, USA. One day while working at the railroad am accidental explosion was set off the result was a 3 ft. metal rod going into one end of his head then exiting through the other side.
Becky the Chimp- Jacobsen, Wolfe & Jackson used lobotomy on a chimpanzee named Becky, they removed the frontal lobe of her brain. In result when she was put through tests instead of behaving badly or being upset when she made a mistake, she was cheerful.
Post-War Lobotomy
After the Second World War a real need to treat new victims of war-related disorders like shell-shock and severe depression became more common. Lobotomies grew in popularity, and by 1955, tens of thousands of people had gone through the operation.
Modern Lobotomy
Lobotomy is still performed today despite the risks that it has and the side effects that can result.
Instead of removing parts of the brain like what happened to Phineas, the first lobotomies used alcohol to sever the fibers that linked the frontal lobe to the rest of the brain. Today, lobotomies are used often to treat epilepsy, and those such as the amygdalotomy use drills to create a hole in the head.
Phineas Gage- the account of Phineas Gage was a tragic accident that resulted in the start of a new psychological/medical study and practices.
Phineas Gage was a railroad foreman in Vermont, USA. One day while working at the railroad am accidental explosion was set off the result was a 3 ft. metal rod going into one end of his head then exiting through the other side.
Becky the Chimp- Jacobsen, Wolfe & Jackson used lobotomy on a chimpanzee named Becky, they removed the frontal lobe of her brain. In result when she was put through tests instead of behaving badly or being upset when she made a mistake, she was cheerful.
Post-War Lobotomy
After the Second World War a real need to treat new victims of war-related disorders like shell-shock and severe depression became more common. Lobotomies grew in popularity, and by 1955, tens of thousands of people had gone through the operation.
Modern Lobotomy
Lobotomy is still performed today despite the risks that it has and the side effects that can result.
Instead of removing parts of the brain like what happened to Phineas, the first lobotomies used alcohol to sever the fibers that linked the frontal lobe to the rest of the brain. Today, lobotomies are used often to treat epilepsy, and those such as the amygdalotomy use drills to create a hole in the head.