The bilateral cingulotomy is a modern
psychosurgical technique of disabling areas of the brain. It has replaced the
lobotomy and is performed to alleviate mental disorders such as major
depression,
bipolar disorder, or
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which have not responded to
psychotherapy,
behavioral therapy[?],
electroshock, or pharmacologic treatment. Bilateral cingulotomies are also performed to treat chronic pain in
cancer patients.