PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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A prefrontal lobotomy is a surgical procedure that involves the deliberate severing or removal of connections in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It was developed in the 1930s as a form of treatment for various psychiatric disorders, particularly severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression, before the introduction of more targeted medications and psychological therapies.
The procedure aims to disrupt the neural pathways responsible for emotional and cognitive functions, effectively altering the individual's behavior and personality. It involves accessing the brain through a surgical incision in the skull, followed by the insertion of a sharp instrument, such as an ice pick, which is then used to sever or destroy connections in the prefrontal lobes. This process is intended to reduce unpleasant symptoms or agitated behavior in patients, though the actual effectiveness and long-term outcomes of the procedure remain controversial.
Prefrontal lobotomy was often performed in an effort to treat severe mental disorders when all other treatment options were exhausted. However, the procedure proved to have significant side effects. These included personality changes, intellectual impairment, decreased emotional responsiveness, and a general flattening of affect. Consequently, the use of prefrontal lobotomies declined in the latter half of the 20th century as more targeted and less invasive treatments emerged. Today, the technique is considered outdated and largely obsolete, representing a dark chapter in the history of psychiatry.
Common Misspellings for PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY
- orefrontal lobotomy
- lrefrontal lobotomy
- -refrontal lobotomy
- 0refrontal lobotomy
- peefrontal lobotomy
- pdefrontal lobotomy
- pfefrontal lobotomy
- ptefrontal lobotomy
- p5efrontal lobotomy
- p4efrontal lobotomy
- prwfrontal lobotomy
- prsfrontal lobotomy
- prdfrontal lobotomy
- prrfrontal lobotomy
- pr4frontal lobotomy
- pr3frontal lobotomy
- predrontal lobotomy
- precrontal lobotomy
- prevrontal lobotomy
Etymology of PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY
The word "prefrontal lobotomy" is derived from a combination of the terms "prefrontal" and "lobotomy".
The term "prefrontal" refers to the prefrontal cortex, which is the anterior part of the frontal lobe of the brain. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in various higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, planning, and personality expression.
The term "lobotomy" comes from the Latin word "lobus", meaning a lobe, and the Greek word "tome", meaning a cutting or incision. It was first coined by Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz in the early 20th century.
Hence, the term "prefrontal lobotomy" specifically refers to a surgical procedure that involves the removal or severing of connections to the prefrontal cortex within the brain.
Similar spelling words for PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY
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