Stereotaxic amygdalotomy and basofrontal tractotomy in psychotics with aggressive behaviour

Twelve patients with personality disorders or chronic schizophrenia in whom aggressive-destructive behaviour was a prominent feature were treated by bilateral stereotaxic electrocoagulation of the amygdala. In two of the patients a cingulectomy and in five of the patients a frontal lobotomy had been performed several years previously without effect. In 11 of the patients the amygdalotomy resulted in disappearance of, or marked reduction in, their aggressive episodes. In two patients with frequent self-mutilations and reactive psychotic episodes these symptoms disappeared after an additional basofrontal tractotomy by Knight's method.