What Does Psychosurgery Do?

Psychosurgery is a type of surgical ablation or disconnection of brain tissue with the intent to alter affective or cognitive states caused by mental illness. Psychosurgery was first introduced as a treatment for severe mental illness by Egas Moniz in 1936.

What is psychosurgery and when is it used?

Psychosurgery that involves the placement of tiny lesions in specific areas of the brain and that has virtually no effect on intellectual function or the so-called quality of life has also been developed. These techniques are used in cases of obsessive-compulsive behaviour and occasionally in cases of severe psychosis.

How does psychosurgery treat OCD?

This surgery involves drilling into the skull and burning an area of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex with a heated probe. This surgery has provided benefits for 50 percent of those with treatment-resistant OCD.