Thermocoagulation as a Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Refractory Patients: Systematic Review

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a disabling chronic neuropsychiatric disease, entails high economic costs to society and has high morbidity and mortality rates. The first-line treatments for OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitivebehavioral therapy. However, this disorder has the highest refractory index to noninvasive treatment. Alternatively, ablative thermocoagulation neurosurgical techniques have shown efficacy and few adverse effects. The present systematic review aimed to identify validated protocols to observe the effectiveness of ablative procedures in the treatment of severe and refractory OCD, as well as their possible adverse effects and benefits. This review supports the effectiveness of ablative methods by presenting them as a safe non-experimental therapeutic option for cases of highlyrefractory OCD. Additional relevant findings were the improvement in cognitive function, functional capacity, affective orientation, and quality of life, which contribute to the destigmatization of this surgical technique. Further controlled studies may lead to the individualization of recommendations of targets for ablative thermocoagulation.

Neurosurgery for Refractory Schizophrenia: A Systematic Literature Review

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disease that can be refractory to conventional treatment. The present study aims to gather information about the circuitry related to schizophrenia to describe possible surgical targets, and to establish whether psychosurgery can be a safe and effective treatment option for refractory schizophrenia. A systematic review of the literature was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. An electronic search was performed in the Pubmed and BVSalud databases using medical subject headings (MeSH) combined with Boolean operators. Out of the 724 studies retrieved, 13 were included in the review. Regarding leucotomy without a stereotactic approach, we found side effects such as irritability, nervous excitement, cases of disinhibition, and compromised normal social control. In other stereotactic procedures, there was some improvement, mainly regarding aggressiveness and positive symptoms; an anterior capsulotomy had an efficacy rate of 74% according to the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rating scales. The only deep brain stimulation (DBS) case report found in our study described a significant improvement in the positive and negative symptoms. The use of a stereotactic approach enables psychosurgery to be a safe and effective treatment option in cases of refractory schizophrenia, improving the quality of life and the symptoms. Cognitive and negative symptoms remain a challenge in the treatment of schizophrenia, revealing that more targets in the circuitrymust be surgically explored. Furthermore,more clinical trials are needed to compare these many surgical techniques and targets, using a standard evaluation parameter. The results show that DBS has a promising future in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia.

Terapias de conversão: histórico da (des)patologização das homossexualidades e embates jurídicos contemporâneos / Conversion therapies: a history of the (de)pathologization of homosexuality and contemporary legal conflicts / Terapias de conversión: histórico de la (des)patologización de las homosexualidades y los enfrentamientos legales contemporáneos

O presente artigo analisa alguns elementos concernentes ao embate atual no campo legal brasileiro em relação às "terapias de conversão". É apresentado inicialmente um breve panorama da patologização das sexualidades dissidentes para, em seguida, descrever tal processo em relação às homossexualidades em específico. Na sequência, é feita uma descrição e análise histórica das terapias de reversão da orientação sexual, em especial nos EUA e no Brasil, seguida da discussão sobre as "terapias de conversão", de base religiosa, e do enfrentamento de seus proponentes com os conselhos profissionais nestes mesmos países. Ao final, são analisados aspectos concernentes aos discursos presentes em Ação Popular recente contra a Resolução no 001/1999, do CFP, apontando-se alguns elementos para se pensar estratégias de enfrentamento da disseminação destas terapias. Dentre eles, destacam-se: a necessidade de desconstrução do argumento da liberdade individual, utilizado pelos defensores destas terapias; a problematização do uso da "ciência" como argumento central pelos conselhos de classe nesse embate jurídico, uma vez que tais práticas foram sustentadas historicamente por argumentos "científicos" de sua época; e a necessidade do debate se centralizar nas questões éticas que envolvem tais práticas a partir do conceito de laicidade, tendo em vista que os discursos jurídicos e científicos se mostraram em muitos momentos históricos inseparáveis das concepções de base religiosa.(AU)

The present article analyzes some elements concerning the current clash in the Brazilian legal field in relation to "conversion therapies". A brief overview of the pathologization of dissident sexualities is presented initially and then this process is described especially in relation to homosexuality. After this, the paper presents a description and historical analysis of sexual orientation reversion therapies, especially in the USA and Brazil, followed by the discussion of religiously based "conversion therapies" and the confrontation of their proponents with professional counseling in these countries. Finally, aspects related to the discourses present in the recent Popular Action against Resolution 001/1999 of the CFP are analyzed, pointing out some elements for the analysis of the coping strategies of the dissemination of these therapies. Among them, the following stand out: the need to deconstruct the arguments of individual freedom used by proponents of these therapies; the problematization of the use of "science" as central argument by the class councils in this juridical attack, since such practices were supported historically by "scientific" arguments of its time; and the need to focus on the ethical issues surrounding such practices, based on the concept of secularity, given that legal and scientific discourses have been shown in many historical moments inseparable from conceptions of religious basis.(AU)

El presente artículo analiza algunos elementos relacionados con el choque actual en el campo legal brasileño con respecto a las "terapias de conversión". Se presenta una breve descripción de la patologización de las sexualidades disidentes, y luego se describe en relación con homosexualidades específicas. A continuación, se presenta una descripción histórica y un análisis de las terapias de inversión de la orientación sexual, particularmente en EE. UU. y en Brasil, seguida de una discusión sobre las "terapias de conversión" basadas en la religión y la confrontación de sus defensores con los consejos profesionales en estos mismos países. Al final, se analizan aspectos relacionados con los discursos presentes en la reciente Acción Popular contra la Resolución 001/1999, del CFP señalando algunos elementos para pensar en estrategias para hacer frente a la difusión de estas terapias. Entre ellos, destacan los siguientes: la necesidad de desconstrucción del argumento de la libertad individual, utilizado por los defensores de estas terapias; la problematización del uso de la "ciencia" como argumento central por parte de los consejos de clase en este choque legal, ya que tales prácticas fueron históricamente apoyadas por argumentos "científicos" de su tiempo; y la necesidad del debate para centrarse en los problemas éticos que rodean a tales prácticas desde el concepto de secularismo, dado que los discursos legales y científicos se han mostrado en muchos momentos históricos inseparables de concepciones basadas en la religión.(AU)

Efecto de la amigdalotomía e hipotalamotomía unilateral en pacientes con agresividad refractaria / Effect of tonsillotomy and unilateral hypothalamotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness

Resumen Antecedentes: El tratamiento neuroquirúrgico, aunque polémico, se considera un recurso útil en el tratamiento de enfermedades psiquiátricas crónicas como la agresividad refractaria. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados clínicos y los efectos colaterales de la hipotalamotomía posteromedial (HPM) asociada a amigdalotomía en pacientes con agresividad refractaria. Método: Se realizó un ensayo clínico en pacientes con agresividad crónica y refractaria a tratamiento farmacológico. Se les realizó amigdalotomía central asociada a HPM mediante termocoagulación por radiofrecuencia. El grado de agresividad se cuantificó mediante la escala global de agresividad de Yudofsky. Los cambios postoperatorios en la conducta agresiva continuaron siendo evaluados cada 6 meses durante al menos 36 meses. Resultados: Se observó un cambio estadísticamente significativo de la conducta agresiva, a lo largo de 36 meses de seguimiento. Se describen los efectos colaterales de la asociación de ambos procedimientos, siendo el de mayor frecuencia la somnolencia y algunos casos de reducción en la conducta sexual. Conclusión: Las lesiones unilaterales simétricas y simultáneas del núcleo central de la amígdala y del hipotálamo posteromedial contralaterales a la dominancia motora dan el mismo efecto clínico en la reducción de la agresividad patológica que las lesiones bilaterales.

Abstract Background: Neurosurgical treatment, although controversial, is considered a useful resource in the treatment of chronic psychiatric diseases such as refractory aggressiveness. Objective: To evaluate the clinical results and side effects of posteromedial hypothalamotomy associated with amygdalotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness. Method: A clinical trial was conducted in patients with chronic aggressiveness and refractory to pharmacological treatment. A central amygdalotomy associated with posteromedial hypothalamotomy was performed using thermo-coagulation by radiofrequency. The degree of aggressiveness was quantified by the Yudofsky's global scale of aggression. Postoperative changes in aggressive behavior continued to be evaluated every 6 months for at least 36 months. Results: A statistically significant change in aggressive behavior was observed during 36 months of follow-up. The collateral effects of the association of both procedures are described, the most frequent being drowsiness and some cases of reduction in sexual behavior. Conclusion: Symmetric and simultaneous unilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala and the posteromedial hypothalamus contralateral to motor dominance give the same clinical effect in the reduction of the pathological aggression that the bilateral lesions.

Migration of Oxidized Cellulose to the Ventricle as a Complication of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: A Case Report

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an increasingly common neurosurgical procedure. Hemostatic agentes (porcine gelatin and oxidized cellulose) are normally placed to plug the cortical hole after ETV to avoid cerebral spinal fluid leakage, subdural hygroma, and hemorrhage. Here we report the case of a 6-year-old boy with hydrocephalus who underwent ETV and which oxidized cellulose was placed to plug the cortical hole.Magnetic resonance imaging of the head performed 3 months after the procedure showed the presence of oxidized cellulose in the ventricle. After an unsuccessful attempt to remove the cellulose, it was decided that the patient should be kept under observation. Twoyears later, the child is in good health and without any complaints. Hemostatic agents (especially oxidized cellulose) used on the cortical hole after ETV can migrate to the ventricle and compromise the procedure. Follow-up should be performedfor such patients, and the main focus should be on not causing further injury.

The Potential Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a debilitating condition characterized by recurrent obsessive thoughts and compulsive reactions. A great portion of the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients are managed successfully with psychiatric treatment such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, but more than 10% of patients are remained as non-responder who needs neurosurgical treatments. These patients are potential candidates for the neurosurgical management. There had been various kind of operation, lesioning such as leucotomy or cingulotomy or capsulotomy or limbic leucotomy, and with advent of stereotaxic approach and technical advances, deep brain stimulation was more chosen by neurosurgeon due to its characteristic of reversibility and adjustability. Gamma knife radiosurgery are also applied to make lesion targeting based on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, but the complication of adverse radiation effect is not predictable. In the neurosurgical field, MR guided focused ultrasound has advantage of less invasiveness, real-time monitored procedure which is now growing to attempt to apply for various brain disorder. In this review, the neurosurgical treatment modalities for the treatment of OCD will be briefly reviewed and the current state of MR guided focused ultrasound for OCD will be suggested.

The Potential Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a debilitating condition characterized by recurrent obsessive thoughts and compulsive reactions. A great portion of the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients are managed successfully with psychiatric treatment such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, but more than 10% of patients are remained as non-responder who needs neurosurgical treatments. These patients are potential candidates for the neurosurgical management. There had been various kind of operation, lesioning such as leucotomy or cingulotomy or capsulotomy or limbic leucotomy, and with advent of stereotaxic approach and technical advances, deep brain stimulation was more chosen by neurosurgeon due to its characteristic of reversibility and adjustability. Gamma knife radiosurgery are also applied to make lesion targeting based on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, but the complication of adverse radiation effect is not predictable. In the neurosurgical field, MR guided focused ultrasound has advantage of less invasiveness, real-time monitored procedure which is now growing to attempt to apply for various brain disorder. In this review, the neurosurgical treatment modalities for the treatment of OCD will be briefly reviewed and the current state of MR guided focused ultrasound for OCD will be suggested.

Egas Moniz: twice a double life / Egas Moniz: uma dupla vida dupla

Egas Moniz is credited with the discovery in 1927 of radioarteriography, for which he was, on three occasions, nominated for the Nobel Prize, and in all three denied the award. In 1949 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for having designed leucotomy, a brain surgery to treat some forms of severe metal disorders. He was also an successful politician and accomplished statesman.

Egas Moniz foi o inventor da radioarteriografia, em 1927. Devido a essa descoberta, seu nome foi, por três vezes, indicado para receber o Prêmio Nobel de Medicina e, nas três, não foi considerado merecedor do prêmio. Em 1949 finalmente ele recebeu o Nobel por ter concebido a leucotomia, um procedimento cirúrgico para “tratar certos transtornos mentais graves”. Ele foi, ainda, um homem político e um estadista de sucesso.

Cirugía de los trastornos del comportamiento: el estado del arte / Surgery for Behavioral Disorders: The state of the art

INTRODUCCIÓN: la cirugía de los trastornos del comportamiento (CTC) se está convirtiendo en un tratamiento más común desde el desarrollo de la neuromodulación. Podemos dividir su historia en 3 etapas: la primera comienza en los inicios de la psicocirugía y termina con el desarrollo de las técnicas estereotácticas, cuando comienza la segunda etapa. Ésta se caracteriza por la realización de lesiones estereotácticas. Nos encontramos transitando la tercera etapa, que comienza cuando la estimulación cerebral profunda (ECP) empieza a ser usada en CTC. OBJETIVO: el propósito de este artículo es realizar una revisión no sistemática de la historia, indicaciones actuales, técnicas y blancos quirúrgicos de la CTC. RESULTADOS: a pesar de los errores graves cometidos en el pasado, hoy en día, la CTC está renaciendo. Los trastornos psiquiátricos que más frecuentemente se tratan con cirugía y los blancos estereotácticos preferidos para cada uno de ellos son: cápsula interna/estriado ventral para trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo, cíngulo subgenual para depresión y complejo centromediano/parafascicular del tálamo para síndrome de Tourette. CONCLUSIÓN: los resultados de la ECP en estos trastornos parecen alentadores. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios randomizados para establecer la efectividad de la CTC. Debe tenerse en cuenta que una apropiada selección de pacientes nos ayudará a realizar un procedimiento más seguro así como también a lograr mejores resultados quirúrgicos, conduciendo a la CTC a ser más aceptada por psiquiatras, pacientes y sus familias. Se necesita mayor investigación en vários temas como: fisiopatología de los trastornos del comportamiento, indicaciones de CTC y nuevos blancos quirúrgicos

BACKGROUND: Surgery for behavioral disorders (SBD) is becoming a more commonly-used treatment since the development of neuromodulation techniques. We can divide the history of SBD into 3 stages: the first stage spanned from the dawn of psychosurgery to the initial development of stereotactic techniques. The second stage was characterized by the recognition of stereotactic lesions. We are currently traveling through the third stage, which began when deep brain stimulation (DBS) started to be used for SBD.OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the history, current indications, techniques and surgical targets of SBD. RESULTS: Despite serious errors committed in the past, SBD is now re-emerging as an accepted therapeutic approach. The psychiatric disorders that are most frequently treated by surgery and the preferred stereotactic targets for treating them are: the internal capsule/ventral striatum for obsessive-compulsive disorder; the subgenual cingulate for treatment-resistant depression; and the centromedianum/parafascicularis complex of the thalamus for Tourette syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Early results for DBS in these disorders are encouraging. However, more randomized trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of SBD. It must be taken into account that ensuring proper patient selection will enhance both procedural safety and effectiveness, leading to SBD being more accepted by psychiatrists, patients and their families. Further research is needed in several areas, like the physiopathology of behavioral disorders, indications for SBD, and new surgical targets

O conflito sexual infantil abordado de um ponto de vista psicanalítico por Egas oniz, o pai da psicocirurgia / Infantile sexual conflict approached from a psychoanalytic point of view by Egas moniz, the father of psychosurgery / Le conflit sexuel infantile étudié d'un point de vue psychanalytique par Egas Moniz, le père de la psychochirurgie / El conflicto sexual infantil desde el punto de vista psicoanalítico de Egas Moniz, padre de la psicocirurjía

Em sua conferência sobre O conflito sexual, proferida no Congresso Luso-Espanhol das Associações para o Progresso das Ciências e publicada em 1921, Egas Moniz aplica o método psicanalítico em dois casos clínicos, utilizando para isso o divã e fazendo uso da associação livre, da associação de ideias, assim como da análise dos sonhos. Esse neurocirurgião, principalmente reconhecido por seus estudos sobre a leucotomia pré-frontal, foi a primeira pessoa a se referir e a recorrer à psicanálise em Portugal. De fato, tal como Freud, Egas Moniz analisou dois casos da literatura apoiando-se no método analítico: o caso de Júlio Dinis em 1924 e o de Camilo em 1925. No entanto, sua contribuição à psicopatologia parece assombrada por seu trabalho sobre a leucotomia, que lhe valeu o Prêmio Nobel de Fisiologia em 1949.

During his conference on sexual conflict, given at the in Luso-Spanish Congress of Associations for Progress of Science, and published in 1921, Egas Moniz explained his use of the analytic method and device (the couch) to present the study of two clinical cases. He also discussed the principle of free association, association of ideas and the interpretation of dreams. Moniz was a neurosurgeon known primarily for his studies on prefrontal leucotomy, and was the first author to refer to and use psychoanalysis in Portugal. Like Freud, Moniz analyzed two cases in the literature in support of the analytical method: the case of Júlio Dinis in 1924 and that of Camilo in 1925. Nevertheless, his work on leucotomy, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1949, appears to have cast a shadow on his contributions to psychopathology.

Dans sa conférence "Le conflit sexuel", tenue au Congrès Luso-Espagnol des Associations pour le Progrès des Sciences et publiée en 1921, Egas Moniz applique la méthode psychanalytique à deux cas cliniques en utilisant le dispositif du divan, le principe des associations libres, l'association d'idées ainsi que l'analyse des rêves. Ce neurochirurgien, reconnu en premier lieu pour ses études sur la leucotomie préfrontale, fut le premier auteur à faire référence et à recourir à la psychanalyse au Portugal. En effet, tout comme Freud, Egas Moniz analysa deux cas de la littérature à l'aide de la méthode analytique: le cas de Júlio Dinis en 1924 et celui de Camilo en 1925. Néanmoins, ses travaux sur la leucotomie, qui lui ont valu l'attribution du prix Nobel de physiologie en 1949, semblent avoir offusqué sa contribution à la psychopathologie.

En una conferencia sobre el conflicto sexual proferida en el Congreso Luso-español de las Asociaciones para el Progreso de las Ciencias y publicada en 1921, Egas Moniz aplica el método psicoanalítico en dos casos clínicos, utilizando para eso el diván, haciendo uso de la asociación libre de ideas, así como del análisis de sueños. Este neurocirurjano, reconocido principalmente por sus estudios sobre la leucotomia pre-frontal, fue la primera persona a referirse y recurrir al psicoanálisis en Portugal. De hecho, tal como Freíd, Egas Moniz analisó dos casos de la literatura apoyándose en el método psicoanalítico: el caso de Julio Dinis en 1924 y el de Camilo en 1925. Sin embargo, su contribución a la sicopatología parece ensombrecida por su trabajo sobre la leucotomia, lo que le valió el Premio Nobel de Fisiología en 1949.

Egas Moniz (1874-1955): cultura e ciência / Egas Moniz (1874-1955): culture and science

Por ocasião do sexagésimo aniversário da atribuição, em 1949, do prêmio Nobel da Medicina ou Fisiologia a Egas Moniz e a Walter Rudolf Hess, foram evocadas as circunstâncias que explicam a singular nobelização. Chama-se atenção para os traços biográficos de Egas Moniz, que são também os de muitos médicos da sua geração, asssim como dos pormenores que se prendem com o processo de nomeação e avaliação científica visando à candidatura ao prêmio Nobel. São também discutidos aspectos de ligação entre a cultura e a ciência, designadamente as controvérsias à volta do prêmio que lhe foi atribuído.

On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the award in 1949, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine granted to Egas Moniz and Walter Rudolf Hess, the circumstances that explain the unique Nobel award require elucidation. Attention is drawn to the biographical traits of Egas Moniz, which are also those of many doctors of his generation, as well as the details which relate to the process of nomination and scientific appraisal to be eligible for the Nobel Prize. Aspects of the link between culture and science are also discussed, including the controversies surrounding the award conferred upon him.

Psicocirurgia para tratamento de transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo / Psychosurgery for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

O transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) é uma patologia incapacitante tanto na esfera social como na ocupacional. Está associado a uma morbidade bastante alta quando comparado a outras condições psiquiátricas e estima-se atualmente uma prevalência de 2% a 3% na população. Alguns estudos sugerem uma provável relação com uma disfunção do córtex frontal e do cíngulo, envolvendo o circuito de Papez. Esse circuito parece mediar os sintomas ansiosos, visto que lesões cirúrgicas dessas áreas afetam a ansiedade geralmente associada ao TOC. A neurocirurgia ablativa para o tratamento de distúrbios psiquiátricos foi muito utilizada até o desenvolvimento de psicofármacos efetivos. Recentemente, com os avanços técnicos do procedimento cirúrgico, auxiliado pelo conhecimento neurofisiológico, a psicocirurgia tornou-se mais precisa e segura. Porém, sua indicação se restringe como uma alternativa ao tratamento de pacientes com TOC refratário à terapia comportamental e/ou medicamentosa.

The obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a both socially and occupationally incapacitating disease. It is associated with a quite high morbidity if compared to other psychiatric conditions and currently it is estimated a lifetime prevalence rate of 2% to 3%. Some studies suggest a probable relation with a dysfunction in the cingulate and the frontal cortex, involving the Papez circuit. Anxious symptoms seem to be mediated by that circuit, considering surgical lesions of these areas affect the anxiety usually associated with OCD. The ablative neurosurgery for the treatment of psychiatric disorders was widely used until the development of effective psychopharmacological medication. Recently, thanks to the technical advances of the surgical procedure, aided by the neurophysiological knowledge, the psychosurgery became more accurate and safer. Yet, its indication is restricted as an alternative treatment to refractory OCD patients.

Surgical Complications of Epilepsy Surgery Procedures : Experience of 179 Procedures in a Single Institute

OBJECTIVE: There are a few reports on the complications of surgery for epilepsy. We surveyed our data to present complications of epilepsy surgeries from the neurosurgeon's point of view and compare our results with other previous reports. METHODS: A total of 179 surgical procedures for intractable epilepsy (41 diagnostic, 138 therapeutic) were performed in 92 consecutive patients (10 adults, 82 children) during the last 9.2 years (February. 1997-April. 2006). Their medical records and radiological findings were reviewed to identify and analyze the surgical complications. RESULTS: The diagnostic procedures encompassed various combinations of subdural grid, subdural strips, and depth electrodes. Four minor transient complications developed in 41 diagnostic procedures (4/41=9.8%). A total of 138 therapeutic procedures included 28 anterior temporal lobectomies, 21 other lobectomies, 6 lesionectomies, 21 topectomies, 13 callosotomies, 20 vagus nerve stimulations, 13 multiple subpial transections, and 16 hemispherectomies. Twenty-six complications developed in therapeutic procedures (26/138=18.8%). Out of the 26 complications, 21 complications were transient and reversible (minor; 21/138=15.2%), and 5 were serious complications (major; 5/138=3.6%). Five major complications were one visual field defect, two mortality cases and two vegetative states. There were 2 additional mortality cases which were not related to the surgery itself. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that complication rate was higher than previous other reports in minor complications and was comparable in major complications. However, our results show relatively high frequency of mortality cases and severe morbidity case compared to other previous reports. The authors would like to emphasize the importance of acute postoperative care in young pediatric patients as well as meticulous surgical techniques to reduce morbidity and mortality in epilepsy surgery.

Psicocirugía, estimulación cerebral profunda y cirugía para enfermedades psiquiátricas: El riesgo del neurodeterminismo / Psychosurgery, deep brain stimulation and surgery for psychiatric illnesses: the risk of neurodeterminism

La psicocirugía es, dentro de la neurocirugía, una forma realmente novedosa de enfrentar la patología psiquiátrica. Desde los procedimientos actualmente abandonados de Moniz, de principios del siglo XX, hasta nuestros días, no solo han avanzado las técnicas sino los conceptos filosóficos que sustentan la cirugía para la enfermedad psiquiátrica. Las actuales técnicas de estimulación cerebral profunda evitan los riesgos inherentes a las lesiones irreversibles de las antiguas técnicas ablativas, a la vez que las cirugías para patologías con componente cognitivo han dado paso a las cirugías para enfermedades con componente afectivo o motor. Sin embargo, a pesar de los avances técnicos, muchas preguntas siguen vigentes: ¿dónde reside la persona, en su cerebro o en todo su cuerpo? ¿Qué define a la persona humana, sus potencialidades cognitivas y racionales o la dualidad mente-espíritu? ¿Al morir el encéfalo, muere con él la persona? Todos estos interrogantes parten del hecho de que en nuestro mundo positivista y materialista se ha reducido la concepción de persona humana al funcionamiento encefálico. La psicocirugía, con los riesgos que tiene de alterar el comportamiento y la personalidad, nos cuestiona seriamente si, en el dilema mente-cerebro, el alma de la persona reside en la pineal, como lo planteara Descartes cinco siglos atrás.

A propósito de los ochenta años del descubrimiento de Egaz Moniz de la angiografía cerebral / apropos of the eighty years of the Egaz Moniz discovery of the cerebral angiography

Antonio Caetano de Abreu Freire Egas Moniz en 1963 publicó el procedimiento quirúrgico de la leucotomía profrontal como un tratamiento radical de las enfermedades mentales. El comité del Premio Nobel le concedió el reconocimiento en 1949 en Fisiología y Medicina. compartió el premio con Walter Rudolf Hess, neurólogo suizo, por sus aportes al conocimiento de la organización funcional del diencéfalo. Siendo la mayor contribución de Moniz el descubrimiento y desarrollo de la angiografía cerebral en 1927, hoy aún persisten las interrogantes de esta probable injusta decisión.