Psychiatric and neuropsychological findings after stereotactic hypothalamotomy, in cases of extreme sexual aggressivity.

Abstract

Report on 14 cases treated for aggressive sexual delinquency by unilateral ventromedial hypothalamotomy. Eight of them had a thorough psychiatric and psychological examination during follow-up. The following constant modifications were found: Decrease in the domination by sexual drive, increase in the fluency in semantic contexts, increase of rapidity of visual image formation and of coordinative perception processes, positive modifications in the scope of some personality dimensions (poise, openness, self-criticism), decreased colour perception, increased appetite. The structure of the patient's sexuality was not changed but the probability of a specific aggressive behaviour reduced, due to the diminished sexual drive thus allowing a positive consolidation of their social interactions with more harmonic relationships to the families or partners. These results give proof that the many prejudices and aversions against this type of therapy are not justified.