Member-only story

Psychosurgery: New Techniques for Brain Disorders

Casey Bell

·4.8k Followers· Follow

Published in J Warren Salmon

5 min read

1k View Claps

82 Respond

Save

Listen

Psychosurgery is a surgical procedure that involves the removal or alteration of brain tissue to treat mental disorders. Once a controversial and experimental procedure, psychosurgery is now a recognized and effective treatment for certain brain disorders.

In recent years, there have been significant advances in psychosurgical techniques. These new techniques are less invasive and more precise than traditional psychosurgery, and they offer the potential for improved outcomes for patients.

This article will explore the latest techniques in psychosurgery and their potential to help people with mental illness.

Psychosurgery: New Techniques for Brain Disorders

by J. Warren Salmon

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5832 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	378 pages

There are two main types of psychosurgery:

Ablative psychosurgery involves the removal or destruction of brain tissue.
Modulatory psychosurgery involves the alteration of brain tissue without destroying it.

Ablative psychosurgery is the older and more traditional type of psychosurgery. It is typically used to treat severe and treatment-resistant mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia.

Modulatory psychosurgery is a newer type of psychosurgery that is less invasive and more precise than ablative psychosurgery. It is typically used to treat less severe mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

In recent years, there have been significant advances in psychosurgical techniques. These new techniques include:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves the implantation of a small electrode into the brain. The electrode is connected to a pacemaker-like device that sends electrical impulses to the brain. DBS has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and OCD.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) involves the implantation of a small electrode into the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a long nerve that runs from the brain to the abdomen. VNS has been shown to be effective in treating depression and epilepsy.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves the use of magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain. TMS is a non-invasive procedure that can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.

These new techniques in psychosurgery are less invasive and more precise than traditional psychosurgery. They offer the potential for improved outcomes for patients, and they could help to make psychosurgery a more widely accepted treatment for mental disorders.

Psychosurgery can offer a number of potential benefits for people with mental disorders. These benefits include:

Relief from severe and treatment-resistant symptoms Psychosurgery can provide relief from severe and treatment-resistant symptoms that have not responded to other treatments.
Improved quality of life Psychosurgery can help people to improve their quality of life by reducing their symptoms and improving their functioning.
Increased independence Psychosurgery can help people to become more independent by reducing their need for medication and other treatments.

Psychosurgery is a serious surgical procedure, and it carries some risks and complications. These risks include:

Bleeding
Infection
Seizures
Neurological damage
Death

The risks of psychosurgery vary depending on the type of procedure being performed. For example, the risks of DBS are lower than the risks of ablative psychosurgery.

It is important to discuss the risks and complications of psychosurgery with your doctor before deciding whether or not to undergo the procedure.

Psychosurgery is not a suitable treatment for everyone with a mental disorder. The best candidates for psychosurgery are people who have severe and treatment-resistant symptoms that have not responded to other treatments.

Psychosurgery is also typically not recommended for people who have a history of violence or aggression, or who are at high risk for suicide.

Psychosurgery is a controversial and experimental procedure, but it can be an effective treatment for certain brain disorders. The latest techniques in psychosurgery are less invasive and more precise than traditional psychosurgery, and they offer the potential for improved outcomes for patients.

If you are struggling with a severe and treatment-resistant mental disorder, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about psychosurgery.

Psychosurgery: New Techniques for Brain Disorders

by J. Warren Salmon

5 out of 5