From theory to practice: The contribution of John Farquhar Fulton (1899–1960) to psychosurgery

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S374-S375
Author(s):  
P. Michielsen ◽  
L. De Jonge ◽  
S. Petrykiv ◽  
M. Arts
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Limbic System ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Correct Location ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionJohn Farquhar Fulton was an American neurophysiologist and historian, who pioneered psychosurgery based on animal experiments. Together with psychologist Carlyle Jacobsen, Fulton presented the results of bilateral frontal lobe ablation in chimpanzees. This study prompted neurologist Egas Moniz and neurologist Walter Freeman to perform similar brain surgery on human subjects.ObjectivesTo present the scientific papers of John Farquhar Fulton on psychosurgery.AimsTo review available literature and to show evidence that John Farquhar Fulton made a significant contribution to the development of psychosurgery.MethodsA biography and research papers are presented and discussed.ResultsFulton and Jacobsen experimented with ‘delayed response tasks’ in chimpanzees. The aim was to test the animal's capability to memorize the correct location of the food. They found that after sequential ablations of the left and right frontal association cortices these memory tasks became significantly difficult for the monkeys to perform. The researchers saw parallel conclusions in clinical cases of human frontal lobe damage.ConclusionsAn investigation into the role of the limbic system is one of the crowning achievements of John Farquhar Fulton, as this has influenced even today's thinking about the role of the limbic system. We should thank Fulton for his pioneering work as modern psychosurgery has gradually evolved from irreversible ablation to reversible stimulation techniques, including deep brain stimulation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A tribute to Johann Gottlieb Burckhardt-Heussler (1836–1907), the pioneer of psychosurgery

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S553-S553 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arts ◽  
P. Michielsen ◽  
S. Petrykiv ◽  
L. de Jonge
Keyword(s):  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Psychiatric Illnesses ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Chronic Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Deep Brain

IntroductionJohann Gottlieb Burckhardt-Heussler was a Swiss psychiatrist, who pioneered controversial psychosurgical procedures. Burckhardt-Heussler extirpated various brain regions from six chronic psychiatric patients under his care. By removing cortical tissue he aimed to relieve the patients of symptoms, including agitation, rather than effect a cure.ObjectivesTo present the scientific papers of Johann Gottlieb Burckhardt-Heussler on psychosurgery.AimsTo review available literature and to show evidence that Burckhardt-Heussler made a significant contribution to the development of psychosurgery.MethodsA biography and private papers are presented and discussed, followed by a literature review.ResultsThe theoretical basis of Burckhardt-Heussler's psychosurgical procedure was influenced by the zeitgeist and based on his belief that psychiatric illnesses were the result of specific brain lesions. His findings were ignored by scientists to make them disappear into the mists of time, while the details of his experiments became murky. Decades later, it was the American neurologist Walter Freeman II, performing prefrontal lobotomies since 1936, who found it inconceivable that the medical community had forgotten Burckhardt-Heussler and who conceded that he was familiar with, and probably even influenced by, Burckhardt's work.ConclusionIt is partly thanks to Burckhardt-Heussler's pioneering work that modern psychosurgery has gradually evolved from irreversible ablation to reversible stimulation techniques, including deep brain stimulation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The legacy of Walter Jackson Freeman II (1896–1972): The lobotomist

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S767-S767
Author(s):  
M. Arts ◽  
P. Michielsen ◽  
S. Petrykiv ◽  
L. De Jonge
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Doctor Who ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Mental Abilities ◽  
Medical Career ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Human Brains

IntroductionWalter Jackson Freeman II was born the grandchild of William Williams Keen, one of world's most renowned surgeons from Philadelphia and the son of an otorhinolaryngist, which may have been contributed to his interest in medicine. Freeman started his medical career in a psychiatric hospital and over the years, he operated thousands of patients. He was a protagonist in American psychosurgery and therefore, he often has been referred as the “lobotomist”.ObjectivesTo present the scientific papers of Walter Jackson Freeman on psychosurgery.AimsTo review available literature and to show evidence that Freeman made a significant though controversial contribution to the development of psychosurgery.MethodsA biography is presented and discussed followed by a literature review.ResultsIn this whole career, “the lobotomist” operated more than 3500 patients and performed mainly operations on the frontal areas. However, he operated human brains without due regard for his patient's mental abilities and emotional well-being after their lobotomy. Despite his work was praised, there was also a lot of criticism on his methods.ConclusionDespite the dubious reputation, Freeman can be remembered as an ambitious doctor who made a significant contribution to the development of psychosurgery. However, unfortunately he crossed medical and legal boundaries.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

OBOLESCENCE AND THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS

2020 ◽  
pp. 113-130
Author(s):  
A.V. GOLUBEV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Innovation Development ◽  
Scientific Hypothesis ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Sociological Studies

The diffusion of innovations is described as a process in a number of scientific papers. At the same time, the causes of this process have not been sufficiently studied. The author’s goal is to consider the main regularities, under which the life cycle of innovations begins, and propose measures to enhance diffusion in modern conditions. As a scientific hypothesis, the author accepts the postulate about the primary role of the obolescence of attracted innovations in this process. The analysis revealed not only the economic proportions that initiate the start of innovation promotion, but also the influence on the diffusion rate of the obsolescence degree of innovations and the market share occupied by the new product. Methodological approaches have been developed to determine economic efficiency depending on the moment of technological change-over, as well as to determine the absolute and relative speed of innovation diffusion. Sociological studies were conducted to determine the state of innovation development and the time lag between obtaining information about an innovation and its practical implementation. The author presents his “Agroopyt” information system developed to disseminate knowledge in the agricultural sphere and ensure technology transfer in agriculture. Digital methods provide for significant accelerateion of the diffusion of innovations and expand its scope.

Improving the questions we ask, with Psychology and Cognitive Conflict.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Buttliere
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Scientific Method ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Cognitive Conflict ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Science In Society

Over the last decade, there have been many suggestions to improve how scientists answer their questions, but far fewer attempt to improve the questions scientists are asking in the first place. The goal of the paper is then to examine and summarize synthesize the evidence on how to ask the best questions possible. First is a brief review of the philosophical and empirical literature on how the best science is done, which implicitly but not explicitly mentions the role of psychology and especially cognitive conflict. Then we more closely focus on the psychology of the scientist, finding that they are humans, engaged in a meaning making process, and that cognitive conflict is a necessary input for any learning or change in the system. The scientific method is, of course, a specialized meaning making process. We present evidence for this central role of cognitive conflict in science by examining the most discussed scientific papers between 2013 and 2017, which are, in general, controversial and about big problems (e.g., whether vaccines cause autism, how often doctors kill us with their mistakes). Toward the end we discuss the role of science in society, suggesting science itself is an uncertainty reducing and problem solving enterprise. From this basis we encourage scientists to take riskier stances on bigger topics, for the good of themselves and society generally.

The Role of Saline Aerosols in the Prevention and Therapy of Cardio-respiratory and Osteo-muscular Afflictions

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 2826-2832
Author(s):  
Ioan Gabriel Sandu ◽  
Viorica Vasilache ◽  
Andrei Victor Sandu ◽  
Marin Chirazi ◽  
Cezar Honceriu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Gaseous Medium ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Active Surface ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Climatic Parameters ◽  
Gaussian Distributions ◽  
Gaseous Media ◽  
Source Number

The saline aerosols generated in gaseous media, as nanodispersions, behave, with respect to the concentration levels and the lifespan, as trimodal distributions (the three domains with Gaussian distributions: fine or Aitken under 50 �m, medium between 50 and 500 mm and, respectively, coarse or large between 500 and 1000 mm). The generation in latent state is dependent on the active surface of the source (number of generator centres, the size and position of the fluorescences, the porosity, size and shape of the source, etc.), the climatic parameters, but also on a series of other characteristics of the gaseous medium. Our team has demonstrated experimentally that saline aerosols, NaCl type, besides the ability to prevent and treat broncho-respiratory and cardiac conditions, through coassistance of saline aerosols of other cations than sodium, and of the iodine anion, have for certain levels of concentrations propitious effects over the immune, bone and muscular systems. Similarly proved has been the positive influence on the development of children, as well the determinant role in increasing athletic performance and of other human subjects performing intense activities.

Recent Advances in Obesity: The Role of Turmeric Tuber and Its Metabolites in the Prophylaxis and Therapeutical Strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (37) ◽  
pp. 4837-4853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Jarząb ◽  
Wirginia Kukula-Koch
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
21St Century ◽  
The Body ◽  
Excess Body Weight ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Important Health ◽  
High Concern

Background: Obesity in the 21st century society became an important health problem, alarming both the scientists and medicine doctors around the world. That is why, the search for new drug candidates capable to reduce the body weight is of high concern. Objective: This contribution tends to collect current findings on the biochemistry of obesity and on the application of plants and in particular turmeric tuber – a commonly used spice - as an anti-obesity agent. Methods: Following an introduction on the biochemical characteristics of obesity, the description of Curcuma secondary metabolites, their pharmacological applications and a study on the plants’ regulatory properties in obesity was summarized. Particular attention was paid to curcumin – the major metabolite present in the extracts of Curcuma spp., which is known to exhibit a variety of pharmacological actions. Also, the characteristics of some semisynthetic analogues of this ferulic acid derivative, characterized by a higher polarity and better bioavailability will be discussed. Results: Numerous scientific papers treat on the influence of turmeric on weight loss. Additionally, some of them describe its anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusions: This important spice tends to fight the 21st century plague, which is an excessive weight gain, related to the development of metabolic syndrome, to the occurrence of cardiovascular problems and diabetes, and, in consequence, leading to a significant shortening of life span. As herein proven, the extracts of turmeric play an important role in the regulation of inflammatory reactions which are evoked in the overweight patients, helping them reduce the excess body weight.

Monosodium Glutamate Toxicity and the Possible Protective Role of L–Carnitine

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
Lalrinzuali Sailo ◽  
◽  
Meesala Krishna Murthy ◽  
Khandayataray Pratima ◽  
Vikas Kumar Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Subjects ◽  
Monosodium Glutamate ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Glutamate Toxicity ◽  
Common Salt ◽  
Genotoxic Effects ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Flavour Enhancer

Monosodium glutamate is naturally available non-essential amino acids, which found in naturally occurring foods and used as flavour enhancer worldwide. Monosodium glutamate is believed to be linked with diverse health problems. The aim of the study was toxic effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the protective role of L-carnitine, light on the available literature from last 25 years about diverse toxicity studies which had been carried out on animal and human models. Google scholar, NCBI, PUBMED, EMBASE, Wangfang databases, and Web of Science databases were used to retrieve the available studies. MSG was linked with deleterious effects particularly in animals including induction of obesity, diabetes, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and genotoxic effects showed in Literature. Few reports revealed increased hunger, food intake, and obesity in human subjects due to MSG consumption. Hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, and genotoxic effects of monosodium glutamate on humans carried out very limitedly. High consumption of monosodium glutamate may be linked with harmful health effects showed in available literatures. So, it is recommended to use common salt instead of MSG. Furthermore, intensive research is required to explore monosodium glutamate–related molecular and metabolic mechanisms. L-carnitine can protect from Hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, renal impairment and genotoxic effects functionally, biochemically and histopathologically with a corresponding reduction of oxidative stress.

The role of personality traits in initiating and maintaining addictive behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S307-S307
Author(s):  
M. Manea ◽  
B. Savu
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Psychiatric Clinic ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Addictive Disorder ◽  
Substance Disorders ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionIt is well known that certain personality traits are more linked to drug abuse than others. Psychiatrists are more likely to emphasize the importance of impulsivity in the connection with substance disorders but in the following study we found an important percentage of patients that have a substance abuse were linked to anxiety through impulsiveness as a personality trait.ObjectivesMost youths admitted for a substance abuse are highly impulsive. Our quest was to differentiate what component of impulsivity was more frequently linked to a substance use disorder.MethodsIn the study were included 50 patients admitted in the 3rd Psychiatric Clinic, Substance Dependences Department, Cluj-Napoca. For the identification of the drug abused we used the multitest screening kit in correlation with the results from the Forensic Medicine Institute of Cluj-Napoca. Each patient completed the Barratt Impulsivity Scale and the Swedish Universities Scales of Personality.ResultsHigh scores on BIS-11 strongly correlated with attentional impulsiveness (Pearson's r correlation = .838) which means high inattention and cognitive instability this being linked with anxiety disorders. Cognitive Instability was correlated with Psychic Trait Anxiety (r = 0.29) and Motor Impulsiveness with Somatic Trait Anxiety (r = 0.3). Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE.ConclusionsThe underrecognized anxiety disorders in young adults whom are admitted for an addictive disorder prefrontal cortex is known to be the source of both impulsivity and could be linked to anxiety as well (valence asymmetry hypothesis). Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Antioxidants Promote Intestinal Tumor Progression in Mice

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Zhiyuan V. Zou ◽  
Kristell Le Gal ◽  
Ahmed E. El Zowalaty ◽  
Lara E. Pehlivanoglu ◽  
Viktor Garellick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Tumor Progression ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Intestinal Tumor ◽  
Adenomatous Polyposis ◽  
Intestinal Tumors ◽  
The Impact

Dietary antioxidants and supplements are widely used to protect against cancer, even though it is now clear that antioxidants can promote tumor progression by helping cancer cells to overcome barriers of oxidative stress. Although recent studies have, in great detail, explored the role of antioxidants in lung and skin tumors driven by RAS and RAF mutations, little is known about the impact of antioxidant supplementation on other cancers, including Wnt-driven tumors originating from the gut. Here, we show that supplementation with the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin E promotes intestinal tumor progression in the ApcMin mouse model for familial adenomatous polyposis, a hereditary form of colorectal cancer, driven by Wnt signaling. Both antioxidants increased tumor size in early neoplasias and tumor grades in more advanced lesions without any impact on tumor initiation. Importantly, NAC treatment accelerated tumor progression at plasma concentrations comparable to those obtained in human subjects after prescription doses of the drug. These results demonstrate that antioxidants play an important role in the progression of intestinal tumors, which may have implications for patients with or predisposed to colorectal cancer.

Inflammatory Myositis Secondary to Anti-Retroviral Therapy in a Child; Case Report and Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Marie Monaghan ◽  
Charlotte Loh ◽  
Stephen Jones ◽  
Agyepong Oware ◽  
Kathryn Urankar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Regimen ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Strand Transfer ◽  
Inflammatory Myositis ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Transfer Inhibitor ◽  
Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor

Here, we describe a five year old girl with congenital HIV who had a six-week onset of rapidly deteriorating mobility and progressive proximal muscle weakness, associated with a raised Creatine Kinase (CK) level of 4330 U/L [25–200 U/L], subsequently diagnosed with an inflammatory myositis. Potential causes were investigated by paediatric neurology and immunology teams. Her viral load had been undetectable over the preceding two years, excluding a primary HIV myositis. While MRI scanning did not show evidence of definite myositis, a muscle biopsy showed evidence of an inflammatory process, comprising a moderate endomysial, perimysial and perivascular mononuclear (CD8 + T cell) infiltrate with increased MHC expression. No particular features of dermatomyositis or immune-mediated necrotising myopathy were identified and there were no features of an inclusion body myositis. Given the absence of active HIV infection, the role of anti-retroviral medications was considered. She had had a recent switch in medication, from twice daily Raltegravir (an Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor, INSTI) to once daily Dolutegravir (an INSTI) while continuing on an established daily protocol of Abacavir and Lamivudine (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors). Changing the Dolutegravir back to Raltegravir, in combination with continuing Lamivudine and Abacavir for two months made no difference to her weakness or CK levels. Moreover, this drug regimen had been well-tolerated over the preceding 19 month period. Changing the anti-retroviral regime completely to a single drug class (Protease Inhibitors) of Ritonavir and Darunavir, resulted in a dramatic improvement in her symptomatology. Within ten days she regained the ability to stand and walk, with a reduction in her CK from 1700 U/L at time of switch to 403 U/L [25–200]. This case highlights the potential risk of developing inflammatory myositis from anti-retrovirals even 19 months into treatment.

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