Moniz (Egas Moniz)

Egas Moniz was a Portuguese neurologist and psychiatrist who, in the 1930s, developed a procedure called lobotomy—aimed at treating mental illnesses by removing or damaging parts of the brain’s frontal lobes. While it initially offered hope, lobotomies often caused severe side effects and are now considered outdated and ethically problematic. Moniz was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1949 for his work. His contributions significantly influenced neuroscience and psychiatric treatment, highlighting the importance of understanding the brain’s complexity and the need for safer, more effective therapies.