Scientists have studied the brain for centuries, yet understanding remains elusive, particularly when it comes to treatments for people with severe mental illness. Solutions have included lobotomy, pharmaceuticals and, more recently, an understanding of the brain through technology. As scientists around the world advance the study of the human brain, this Retro Report video explores the evolution of medical treatments.
Lobotomy: A Dangerous Fad's Lingering Effect on Mental Illness Treatment
From the 1930s to the 1950s a radical surgery -- the lobotomy -- would forever change our understanding and treatment of the mentally ill.