Brain lobotomy was a controversial surgical practice that peaked in the 20th century and sought to treat various mental illnesses and psychiatric disorders. It consisted of disconnecting certain parts of the brain by destroying its nervous connections. Although it was believed that this technique could alleviate the symptoms of diseases such as schizophrenia or depression, the effects of brain lobotomy were profound and, in many cases, devastating.
Background and development of brain lobotomy
Brain lobotomy was developed by Portuguese neurologist António Egas Moniz in the 1930s. Moniz, along with his colleague neurosurgeon Almeida Lima, developed the technique with the hope of finding a way to treat mental illnesses that until then were considered incurable.
The first prefrontal lobotomy was performed by Moniz in 1935, and consisted of inserting a surgical instrument into the frontal lobe of the brain through small perforations in the skull. This technique, initially known as leucotomy, soon became popular around the world as a treatment for a wide range of psychiatric disorders.
Lobotomy procedure and variants
The lobotomy procedure The brain damage varied depending on the professional who performed it, but in general it consisted of damaging the nervous connections between the frontal lobe and the rest of the brain. This was achieved by destroying nerve fibers through techniques ranging from the insertion of surgical instruments to the application of electrical currents.
There were different variants of lobotomy, such as the standard prefrontal lobotomy, in which that the lesion was performed on the frontal lobe, and the transorbital lobotomy, in which the brain was accessed through the eyes. Despite the differences in techniques, they all had in common the goal of disrupting brain connections to alleviate the symptoms of mental illness.
Effects of brain lobotomy
Despite Although brain lobotomy was considered a revolutionary advance in the treatment of psychiatric disorders at the time, its devastating effects on patients subjected to this practice were soon discovered. The effects of lobotomy could be both physical and psychological, and in many cases were irreversible.
Physical effects
The physical effects of brain lobotomy could include motor problems, such as jerking movements and incoordination, due to damage to brain areas related to motor control. Additionally, patients often experienced loss of sensation in certain parts of the body, as well as changes in facial expression and emotional responsiveness.
In some cases, brain lobotomy could also have side effects. serious, such as brain infections, hemorrhages or even death of the patient. These risks, along with the unknown long-term effects of the surgery, contributed to the growing controversy surrounding the practice of brain lobotomy.
Psychological effects
In addition to In addition to the physical effects, brain lobotomy also had profound impacts on patients' psychological functioning. Many experienced a significant decline in their cognitive ability, resulting in difficulty concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions. Some patients also showed changes in their personality, becoming apathetic, emotionally flat or impulsive.
One of the most worrying effects of brain lobotomy was the loss of the ability to experience complex emotions, which led many patients to feel disconnected from themselves and their environment. This lack of emotional response could significantly affect the patients' quality of life and their ability to establish interpersonal relationships.
Controversy and decline of brain lobotomy
As it became As reports accumulated about the negative effects of brain lobotomy, the practice began to be increasingly questioned by the medical community and public opinion. Despite attempts by some professionals to continue defending its use, lobotomy gradually lost acceptance and popularity as a treatment for mental disorders.
Growing opposition to brain lobotomy was based on a combination of factors, such as the lack of solid scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, the risks and side effects associated with surgery, and the growing awareness of patients' rights and dignity. In the 1970s, brain lobotomy was widely abandoned in most developed countries and replaced by safer and more effective therapeutic approaches.
Legacy of brain lobotomy
Despite Despite its decline and eventual abandonment as a medical practice, the legacy of brain lobotomy continues to be debated in the scientific and ethical community. While it is undeniable that lobotomy had devastating effects on many patients, some advocates argue that, in certain cases, the surgery relieved the symptoms of serious mental disorders and allowed some people to lead more functional lives.
The debate on brain lobotomy has also served to remind us of the importance of ethics in medical research and practice, as well as to highlight the need to address mental disorders with approaches that respect the integrity and autonomy of patients. By reflecting on the history of brain lobotomy, the medical community has been able to learn important lessons about the limits of surgical intervention in the treatment of mental illness.
In summary, the effects of lobotomy brain were profound and, in many cases, devastating for patients subjected to this controversial practice. Although at the time it was considered an advance in the treatment of mental disorders, lobotomy soon revealed its negative effects on people's physical and psychological health. Its decline and abandonment marked a milestone in the history of psychiatry, reminding us of the importance of addressing mental disorders with respectful and ethical approaches.