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How did he use X-rays to uncover the mysteries of the brain? Egas Moniz's revolution in intracranial vascular photography!
In the medical community at the beginning of the 20th century, the diagnosis of many diseases still relied on doctors' clinical experience and cursory laboratory tests. However, it was the emergence of Egas Moniz that brought changes to this field. Egas Moniz, a Portuguese neuroscientist, is not only the inventor of Cerebral Angiography, but also one of the founders of modern psychosurgery. His research results not only changed the way of neurological diagnosis, but also influenced the treatment options of many patients.
Early life and education
Egas Moniz was born on November 29, 1874, in Avanca, Portugal. After completing his medical degree at the University of Coimbra, he served as a lecturer there and in 1911 he was appointed professor of neurology at the University of Lisbon. During this period, his political ideals also gradually took shape. He supported the republican system and was jailed several times for participating in student protests.
Innovation in intracranial angiography
In 1926, as Moniz returned to work full-time in medicine, he proposed a bold hypothesis: If blood vessels in the brain could be clearly displayed radiologically, brain tumors could be more precisely located. He began to conduct a series of experiments. Although the initial experiments failed and even resulted in the death of one patient, he did not give up. Finally, after many improvements, he successfully used 25% sodium iodide solution to perform intracranial angiography, opening up a new horizon.
This technology allows doctors to see the brain's vascular structure for the first time, something that was previously unimaginable.
Discussion on prefrontal lobe leukotomy
After observing behavioral changes in soldiers with prefrontal lobe injuries, Moniz came up with a bold idea: surgical removal of white matter fibers in the prefrontal lobe might help treat certain mental illnesses. In 1935, he successfully improved the conditions of many patients during a lobotomy, a procedure that earned him the 1949 Nobel Prize.
In this operation, Moniz claimed that "prefrontal lobotomy is a simple and safe procedure that may have efficacy in the treatment of certain mental illnesses."
Academic and Writing Achievements
In addition to clinical research, Moniz is also a prolific writer. He has published 112 papers and several books in various fields including medicine, literature and social sciences. Among them, his research on neurology and psychology was not limited to his masterpieces, but also had a profound impact on the academic world at that time.
Late life and legacy
Although Moniz died in 1955, his legacy continues to spark discussion. With the development of antipsychotic drugs, the status of lobotomy in the medical community has been questioned, and even led to a reexamination of Moniz's Nobel Prize. In Portugal, Moniz is regarded as a hero, and many commemorative activities are still ongoing.
Whether his contribution to the research of mental illness and brain diseases is worthy of being remembered forever in history may still need to be tested by time.
During Egas Moniz's life, his innovations shattered traditional diagnostic models and shed light on the mysteries of the brain. However, with the advancement of science, whether the method he pioneered is still of practical significance may be a question that the medical community needs to continue to think about in the future?
