Contemporary psychosurgery and a look to the future

Object. Despite a long and controversial history, psychosurgery has persist ed as a modern treatment option for some severe, medically intractable psyc hiatric disorders. The goal of this study was to review the current state o f psychosurgery. Methods. In this review, the definition of psychosurgery, patient selection criteria, and anatomical and physiological rationales for cingulotomy, sub caudate tractotomy, anterior capsulotomy, and limbic leukotomy are. discuss ed. The historical developments, modem procedures, and results of these fou r contemporary psychosurgical procedures are also reviewed Examples of rece nt advances in neuroscience indicating a future role for neurosurgical inte rvention for psychiatric disease are also mentioned. Conclusions. A thorough understanding of contemporary psychosurgery will he lp neurosurgeons and other physicians face the ethical, social, and technic al challenges that are sure to lie ahead as modem science continues to unlo ck the secrets. of the mind and brain.