Since the early 1900s there has been an accumulation of experimental evidence to demonstrate the role of the limbic system, specifically the amygdala complex in mediating emotional expressions of fear and anger. Early primate studies have revealed that chemical and electrical stimulation of the amygdala region accentuates aggressive behavior. Conversely, destruction of the amygdala nucleus results in a taming effect of normal anger and fearing responses in primate behavior. Similarly, clinical studies in humans have revealed the close etiological role of temporal lobe structures, particularly the limbic system and the amygdala in mediating fear and rageful behavior. These findings have been instrumental in the development of clinical<unk>  as a form of neurosurgery to produce placating effects on abnormal aggressive behaviors. Procedural<unk>  is used as a last recourse treatment for severe intractable aggression when other options including pharmacological treatments have been exhausted. The psychopathology of patients with severe aggressive behavior in clinical cases of<unk>  over the past 20th century vary, including epileptics with violent convulsions, psychotics with violent outbursts, individuals with unmanageable conduct disorder, and patients with self-mutilative tendencies. The clinical practice of<unk>  in humans is commonly implemented under the stereotactic frame, with varying techniques used to destroy the amygdala, ranging from radiofrequency, mechanical destruction and the injection of oil, wax, and alcohol. The preferred target zone of the amygdala also varies from basal and lateral nuclei, to the medial region, the cortico-medial group of nuclei and the bed of the stria terminalis. The size of the lesion differs from one-third to one-half, to three-quarters, to the entire amygdalar region. In spite of these methodological differences, most published accounts of human<unk>  have indicated beneficial outcomes in reducing the intensity and frequency of aggressive behaviors.
Amygdalotomy
Amygdalohippocampectomy
Thalamotomy
Corpus callosotomy
Bilateral cingulotomy
Psychedelic therapy
Dance therapy
Scrambler therapy