Korean Journal of Psychopharmacology  2003;14(2):99-107

Functional Neurosurgery for Psychiatric Disease.

Yoon HA 1 ; Chan Hyung KIM ; Jong Hee CHANG ; Yong Gou PARK ; Sang Sup CHUNG ; Jin Woo CHANG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Psychosurgery; Cingulotomy; Subcaudate tractotomy; Anterior capsulotomy; Limbic leukotomy; Vagus nerve stimulation; Deep brain stimulation

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Despite a long and controversial history, psychosurgery has persisted as a modern treatment option for some severe, medically intractable psychiatric disorders. The empirical basis of psychosurgery is weak because of the lack of well-designed investigations. Several carefully conducted studies in which independent evaluation has been made, however, show convincingly that highly selective stereotactic operations on the brain can benefit some carefully selected, chronically ill psychiatric patients with a low rate of unwanted side effects. The goal of this article is to review the current state of psychosurgery. In this review, the definition of psychosurgery, patient selection criteria, and anatomical and physiological rationales for anterior cingulotomy, subcaudate tractotomy, anterior capsulotomy, limbic leukotomy, vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation are discussed.