What is an anterior cingulotomy?

A modern technique using a special stereotactic framework that is attached to the patient’s head. Small lesions are made in the part of the brain called the anterior cingular gyrus. These lesions are a few millimetres in diameter and are permanent i.e., irreversible. A bilateral anterior cingulotomy is rarely performed. Here 2 lesions are made. It is the last resort treatment for difficult-to-treat Depression and is only used in exceptional cases.

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