LEUCOTOMIES Meaning and
Definition
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Leucotomies are surgical procedures performed to sever or remove certain nerve fibers in the brain. Also known as lobotomies, they were historically used as a form of psychiatric treatment in the early to mid-20th century, particularly for severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.
The procedure involves making an incision in the skull, after which a portion of the brain's white matter is either cut, surgically removed, or disrupted using various methods, including sharp instruments or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The objective is to sever the connections between the prefrontal cortex and other areas of the brain, which were believed to contribute to the patient's psychiatric symptoms.
Leucotomies were originally developed as an alternative to frontal lobotomies, aiming to produce similar effects with less invasive techniques. However, they still carry significant risks and side effects, including personality changes, impaired cognitive abilities, and motor dysfunction. The outcomes and effectiveness of leucotomies have been controversial, with varied results reported by different studies and practitioners.
Due to ethical concerns and advancements in psychiatric treatments, leucotomies have largely fallen out of favor and are no longer performed as a standard treatment for mental disorders. Modern psychiatric care largely relies on medication, psychotherapy, and other non-invasive interventions that aim at treating the underlying causes of mental illnesses while minimizing potential harm to the patient.
Common Misspellings for LEUCOTOMIES
Etymology of LEUCOTOMIES
The word "leucotomies" is derived from the Greek terms "leuko" meaning "white" and "tome" meaning "cutting". In medical context, "leucotomy" refers to a surgical procedure involving the cutting of white matter (also known as the frontal lobes) in the brain. The term was first coined in 1935 by Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz, who developed this procedure as a treatment for mental disorders. Later on, the procedure evolved and is now known as a lobotomy or prefrontal leucotomy.
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