Psychosurgery

Definition

Psychosurgery is a type of brain surgery used to treat mental disorders. It involves removing or destroying parts of the brain in an attempt to change a person's behavior or ease severe mental symptoms.

Related terms

Lobotomy: A now largely obsolete psychosurgical procedure that involved severing connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe.

Anterior Cingulotomy: A form of psychosurgery involving lesioning of the anterior cingulate cortex; often used for patients with severe OCD.

Capsulotomy: Another form of psychosurgery where lesions are made in the internal capsule; sometimes used for treating severe OCD or depression.